subscriber servicessubscribecontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Published: November 02, 2008 01:50 am    print this story   comment on this story  

New state policy limits options for school snacks

By Katie Wilson
Times West Virginian

FAIRMONT The school holiday party is changing.

Most adults look back on their school days and fondly remember holiday parties. You know, those events where your mom baked dozens of cupcakes and another mom made dozens of cookies and you and your classmates gorged on candy, arriving home on a sugar high to drive your parents insane.

While the classroom parties remain the same, the food choices are dramatically different these days.

Terri Atha, supervisor of child nutrition for Marion County Schools, said a new statewide policy went into effect July 1. That policy has had a profound effect on what can be served as snacks in the schools.

Atha said the new policy states snacks must be:

• No more than 200 calories per product.

• No more than 35 percent of the calories can come from fat.

• No more than 10 percent of the calories can come from saturated fat.

• No more than .5 grams of trans fat.

• No more than 35 percent of the calories can be from sugar.

• No more than 200 milligrams of sodium per package.

Also, no more homemade treats — everything must be prepackaged from a store. That provision helps prevent allergic reactions and enhance food safety, Atha said.

“We’re promoting more fresh fruit and vegetables,” she said.

Since this is the first year for the policy, it’s all about implementation and educating parents and teachers, Atha said. Next year, all schools must be completely in compliance, she said.

At the start of the school year, parents received a list of approved treats. That list has since been revised because some of the treats, such as some name-brand snack cakes, didn’t meet the requirements. A revised list was sent out to parents on Oct. 8, Atha said.

Beyond the problem with the lists, Atha said there have been no real problems with implementing the new snack guidelines.

The new policy hopes to promote healthier eating among children and their parents, she said.

“If they learn about it at school, they carry it home to their parents,” Atha said. “We have concerns about childhood obesity and there are children with high blood pressure and cholesterol, even at young ages.”

E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.

print this story   comment on this story  

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.



Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Concrete Plant Manager
Producer of ready mix concrete is seeking Concrete Plant Manager in Morgantown. Responsibilities include materials proc...>MORE

Sales Associate
Local retail shop seeks friendly Sales Associate. Must have intermediate computer skills. Send resume to: Dept. TWV-129...>MORE

SENIOR GRAPHIC
SENIOR GRAPHIC
DESIGNER

A Morgantown marketing firm is seeking a Senior Graphic Designer who completes
...>MORE

Concrete Dispatcher.
Local company has position open for Concrete Dispatcher. Position requires direct communication skills with customers an...>MORE

Maintenance person
Maintenance person needed for youth residential facility located in Fairmont. Must have high school diploma or equivalen...>MORE

Fairmont Job Fair!!
Fairmont Job Fair!!
Thursday, July 16th
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
1000 Galliher Drive Exhibition Hall – 1st F
...>MORE

Residence Director
Fairmont State University is seeking to fill the full time position of Residence Director.  Please apply online at www.f...>MORE

Early Learning Center Supervisor
Early Learning Center Supervisor - Supervisor needed to direct all activities and operations, including regulatory, budg...>MORE

Kings Jewelry
Part Time Sale Position
Kings Jewelry in Meadowbrook Mall, is seeking
part time sales Associates.
Res
...>MORE

Vocational Assessment Program Manager
EMBED PBrush
CENTER FOR
EXCELLENCE IN
DISABILITIES (CED)
ROBERT C. BYRD HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index