I am no longer needed. The Government can raise my kids!

The latest hot topic on health and wellness relates to childhood obesity in this country.  As a nation we clearly have a problem with children not eating healthy and not getting enough exercise due to various factors.  I wonder how many of us blame the Government for this?  I would venture to guess that not many of us think this is the Governments fault.   However that said, this administration and the USDA have put into motion pending regulation that will control all food sales in our public schools.  Have no doubt this is going to affect the entire public school system and ultimately our wallets as taxpayers.

Not many people are aware of this ruling.  If it passes, and is finalized, it will be implemented as early as July, 2014.  The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 allows the USDA to make drastic reforms on the allowable foods sold in schools in the effort to provide healthier choices to our children.

Basically the regulation reads that during the school day that any food sold in schools will have to meet new criteria.  This impacts the a la carte lines, schools stores, vending and even “excessive” fundraisers.  We already have a problem with so much waste in the cafeteria.   Have you ever stood in the cafeteria and taken a look at the trash cans?  There is so much “healthy food” thrown away.  It is a terrible waste and do you know due to regulations that food is not even allowed to be donated to a local shelter.  Now we have the Government spending our tax dollars in order to create a one size fits all regulation that will impact our public school system.  This is a fuzzy feel good Band-Aid and nothing more.  This will not fix the problem. 

The pending regulation is expected to cost the public school system almost $69,000,000 (page 186 of the ruling) over a five year period in administrative costs for recordkeeping of this ruling.  Don’t our teachers and administrators have enough on their plates without having to monitor if a child is eating a bag of chips or a candy bar? Is it really their daily responsibility to do this?  In addition to the $69 million dollars that it will cost the school systems don’t forget about the additional loss of revenue.  Every one of these areas that will be regulated generate needed funds to our schools.  Schools earn money from the a la carte sales in the cafeteria, vending and school stores.  Remember ultimately who pays for a loss in revenue or increased costs, it is us the taxpayer.

If you read the ruling it even states numerous times throughout that they aren’t even sure this will work.  Page 83 has a sentence that reads as follows:  “Because the factors that contribute both to overall food consumption and to obesity are so complex, it is NOT POSSIBLE to define a level of disease or cost reduction expected to result from implementation of this rule.”  It sure sounds like the USDA is implementing something that they can't even guarantee will work.  Why are we doing this?  Why isn't the focus on educating the public about healthy choices vs. forcing healthy choices.  How about figuring out a way to have physical education a daily part of every students life.  Education is far more effective in guiding and molding peoples habits.  This has been proven time and time again. 

The most ironic part of this ruling is that it will impact the high school students the most because most of the middle and elementary schools don’t offer much in the way of vending and school stores.  I say ironic because the high school students are old enough to make decisions on their food consumption.  Most of these are teenagers that have jobs and mobility.  They have the ability to shop at the local convenience store across the street from the school, bring the items from home or even set up a black market business in the school and sell the “contraband” items.  My point is if a teenager wants a bag of chips they are going to get their bag of chips.  The Government burdening the school system is not going to stop the consumption of the so called bad food. 

Secondly, you can’t make a one size fits all approach.  There are students with different allergies, medical conditions, etc.  Everyone has to make the choice that works for them and their needs.  The high school students are old enough to make these choices. 

It is our responsibility as parents to guide and teach our children about nutrition and healthy habits.  It is also important to teach our children about moderation in everything they do.  It is ok to have the occasional soda or candy bar.  The key here is that the choice should be made available and most schools do have great choices available.  Banning items just makes them more enticing to our youth.  We are not talking illegal substances here we are talking snacks and drinks.  Studies show over and over that the amount spent per student on snacks and drinks is really not excessive at all.

The Governments initiative to get our children eating healthy is great in theory but it is not their responsibility nor will it work.  If this passes the rumor is that State Colleges and Military Bases are next on the target list.  We are slowly losing our freedom and becoming a “nanny state”.  It is time to put a stop to it and if we all come together we can stop this.

I personally have been in contact with our Georgia Senators offices and they have asked that if you are opposed to this ruling that it is pertinent to call  them and let them know that you want it stopped.  In addition to doing this it is important that you comment on the USDA website that you are against this ruling.  The website is www.regulations.gov once there enter a search for FNS-2011-0019.  This will take you to the ruling and from there you can select comment now and let your voice be heard.  The ruling is open through the end of October. 

Personal responsibility is the key here.  Our teenagers can make the right choices let’s have a little faith in them.