Editorials / Opinion

Have you ever wondered why the cafeteria offers certain snacks while the school store doesn't? Let's unravel the mystery of school snack rules and how they affect what you can munch on during school hours.

When it comes to school snacks, the cafeteria and school store seem to play by different rules. Mrs. Geer, a teacher in charge of the school store, who helps follow these rules, gave some insight into the situation. 

The main player in this game is the "Healthy Food Guidelines." Mrs. Geer  stated, “It's called Healthy Food Guidelines which only allows you to have whole wheat or whole grain and so many calories, sodium, fats, and sugars.” If a snack doesn't meet these standards, it can't be sold when classes are in session. The school store uses the Smart Snack Product Calculator to make sure it complies. 

Even fundraisers, like selling Gertrude Hawkins chocolate bars, must follow these rules, which can limit the number of fundraising events in a school year. This affects clubs and organizations that rely on these fundraisers.

But what if these rules change? Relaxing them would mean more snack options in the school store, including popular items like chocolate bars, which could boost profits. Mrs. Geer states, “This is how it has been for as long as I have been here. As far as what we can sell we have to adhere to these rules.” So room for change would be slim.

The cafeteria operates under different regulations, possibly because of the school lunch program's meal requirements. This gives the cafeteria more flexibility in offering snacks.

And those vending machines that come to life after school hours? They contain snacks that only meet some of the healthy food guidelines. That's why they can operate when regular school hours are over.

There's even a potential solution which is opening the school store slightly before or after school hours to offer snacks that don't comply with daytime guidelines.

So, next time you're wondering about school snacks, remember it's not just about profit. It's a complex mix of rules and guidelines shaping your choices. For now, the "Healthy Food Guidelines" are the boss of your school's snack menu.