Jun 18, 2009 6:05 am US/Eastern
Parent On Crusade To Ban Sweets At PS 9
Meme Roth Says She's Had About Enough Of Students Eating Junk Food During School Hours, Especially On Birthdays
By JOSH LANDIS, CBS 2 HD News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
A New York City mom is fighting an uphill battle.
She's fed up with the sweets and treats that are handed out at her kid's school -- and now she's trying to change that.
Sweet snacks have left a bitter taste in Meme Roth's mouth. She's trying to change what her kids -- and all kids -- eat at PS 9.
"The final insult was when a phys ed instructor gave out frosted Dunkin Donuts during phys ed," Roth said.
Her problem isn't school meals. It's the snacks kids and teachers bring to celebrate birthdays and other events.
"Can't kids go from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. without a donut, without, you know, just candy and cookies? It's school. It's not the carnival," Roth said.
Federal law spells out the nutritional requirements of the food that's served here. But snacks that teachers or students themselves bring from home, that's a bit of a grey area.
The Department of Education told CBS 2 HD school meals already meet nutrition guidelines. But snacks in class are handled by school principals.
PS 9 wouldn't answer CBS 2 HD's questions.
Most doctors say foods like these are okay -- in moderation.
"For children to occasionally have a cupcake or cookie or some sweet at school, occasionally, is fine," Dr. William Spivak said.
One parent told CBS 2 HD the presence of junk food helps children make choices.
"Otherwise how do you prepare your kids when they go out on their own?" PS 9 parent Sari Cooper said. "They have to have the knowledge. It's not enough to make some rigid sort of rules."
Banning birthday cake is an uphill fight. Students told CBS 2 HD exactly what they want to have at a birthday party. Obvious answers: cake and cupcakes.
But Roth said she's not trying to be popular.
"Show me the piece of research that says a child performs better at school and behaves better at school having eaten junk food and I will shut my mouth," Roth said.
Every five years, the federal government re-evaluates school food programs. The latest guidelines are up for review this year.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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