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News briefs from California's Central Coast
Associated Press
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Steven Walley is seething over the "food police" at his son's school.
A letter from the Freedom Elementary School said the county's Health Services Agency plans to educate students and families about healthy eating habits and there was a list of acceptable foods.
It also warned: "We will take away from students any non-nutritious foods such as hot Cheetos or chips, sugary snacks, soda, etc."
Walley couldn't believe it.
"The food police," he said, had gone too far.
"There's no law on the books that would allow this," Walley said. "They're saying if I send my kid to school with chips or a Hostess pie for lunch, they're gonna take it away from him. What gives them the right?"
Walley called the school to protest. Principal Jeen Gottlob acknowledged the letter's expressed intent to have unhealthy foods confiscated from students, but assured Walley that his son's chips and Hostess pies would be safe.
Catherine Hatch, assistant superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District's Central Zone, said the letter was composed with all good intentions.
"We have a very positive program to inform and educate students about nutrition," said Hatch, "and we absolutely support the work of the (health services) agency."
But she said Walley was correct that the snack-snatching policy was a bit over the top. Upon review of the letter, Hatch declared the policy null and void and said a new letter will be sent.
"We will not be taking food from anyone's lunches," she said.
The Centers for Disease Control recently published findings of a 1999-2002 survey that found 16 percent of American children between the ages of 6 and 19 are obese and school districts and health officials have been working to reduce that trend.
Associated Press
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Steven Walley is seething over the "food police" at his son's school.
A letter from the Freedom Elementary School said the county's Health Services Agency plans to educate students and families about healthy eating habits and there was a list of acceptable foods.
It also warned: "We will take away from students any non-nutritious foods such as hot Cheetos or chips, sugary snacks, soda, etc."
Walley couldn't believe it.
"The food police," he said, had gone too far.
"There's no law on the books that would allow this," Walley said. "They're saying if I send my kid to school with chips or a Hostess pie for lunch, they're gonna take it away from him. What gives them the right?"
Walley called the school to protest. Principal Jeen Gottlob acknowledged the letter's expressed intent to have unhealthy foods confiscated from students, but assured Walley that his son's chips and Hostess pies would be safe.
Catherine Hatch, assistant superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District's Central Zone, said the letter was composed with all good intentions.
"We have a very positive program to inform and educate students about nutrition," said Hatch, "and we absolutely support the work of the (health services) agency."
But she said Walley was correct that the snack-snatching policy was a bit over the top. Upon review of the letter, Hatch declared the policy null and void and said a new letter will be sent.
"We will not be taking food from anyone's lunches," she said.
The Centers for Disease Control recently published findings of a 1999-2002 survey that found 16 percent of American children between the ages of 6 and 19 are obese and school districts and health officials have been working to reduce that trend.
