Cake ban doesn’t exist: Education Minister
Posted Jun 6, 2012 01:05:37 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Nova Scotia cake ban is imaginary, according to the Education Minister, who’s trying to clear up confusion over the Food and Nutrition Policy.
Minister Ramona Jennex says there’s been no change to the policy, which makes exceptions for special events.
“Schools are allowed to have special events,” said Jennex at Province House on Wednesday. “They name Halloween, for example. Spring flings are named. Parent-teacher interview evening. That you can have other choices other than the nutritious choices.
“So, in other words, at spring flings, cakes are definitely allowed. There’s no ban on any food items for special events.”
If it’s strictly a fundraiser, you can’t sell cake as a fundraiser. That’s a different policy.
“I think what happened is someone mixed up the fundraising policy with the food policy,” said Jennex. “Now there is a fundraising policy around food and that would be saying you can’t sell chocolate or cookie dough as a fundraiser, but you could sell spices or healthy cookies.”
A memo sent from provincial staff to schools last month raised questions about how spring flings are treated under the policy.
“The policy hasn’t changed,” said Jennex. “Childhood obesity is a serious concern and it is crucial for us, as a society, to promote healthy living.
The province will release a plan to tackle childhood obesity later this week.
Link: Nova Scotia Education Department food and nutrition policy
