A while back, I sent you a dispatch from my kids’ elementary school Election Day bake sale in which I shared my ambivalence about this cherished school tradition. I loved the Norman Rockwell-esque buntings and flags and the kids clamoring to work behind the cash register, but I didn’t like seeing so much sugar go into the growing bodies of kids who — looking at the big societal picture — are getting way too much sugar in their diets already. (And as the organizer of the bake sale, I also expressed a little crankiness at being on my feet from dawn to dusk that day, literally.)
But even putting aside concerns about sugar, San Francisco school food reformer Dana Woldow (of PEACHSF.org) recently undertook a careful economic analysis of school bake sales, looking at the cost of ingredients and parent time/labor and questioning whether it’s an effective school fundraiser in the first place. Her findings might surprise you.
But regardless of the economics, the school bake sale holds a sacred place in the national consciousness that no amount of clear rationality is likely to affect. In late 2010, just before the historic passage of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (which overhauled school meals), Sarah Palin and other politicians stirred up opposition to the legislation by claiming it would bar school bake sales and candy fundraisers. In response, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack actually felt the need to write a letter to Congress to reassure the American public that school bake sales (if conducted after school) were safe from harm.
So, what do you think about all this? Do you think the bake sale tradition should be preserved at all costs? Or do you think rising rates of childhood (and adult) obesity and related diseases will eventually spell the demise of the all-American school bake sale?
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mommm!!! says
I’m going to go out on a wistful limb of yesteryear that I’m sure will break at any moment and I will plummet to my literary death, but I’m going to say it anyway.
This whole thing reminds me of what has become of lemonade stands in some places in America. In my state, my child can’t just put up a lemonade stand….he would actually have to file for a permit. A permit! Really? Yet, a childhood lemonade stand has a lot more to teach than just making a profit. And let’s not forget the fond memories you’ll be able to recall as an adult later. Isn’t this really what the school bake sale is actually about?
I had come to this very crossroads a couple of years ago as I was making something for my own child’s school bake sale for the PTA, even though I’m not a member. I thought to myself, “This is ridiculous. I spent X amount of dollars on such and such and they’re probably only going to charge 50 cents or whatever.” Then my son came home from his friend’s house and charged in with his friend behind him and he immediately launched into this big long dramatic explanation of how I am the most amazing baker (I’m really not) and alllllll the different and most amazing things I make and then a detailed description of what I was currently making, where that recipe came from, any variations of it I’ve made previously and how THOSE turned out and on and on. Of course, the friend asked if he could have one (I think I was making black and whites that day) and before I could answer, my child told him no because these were for the bake sale because some club at school needed trip money, but told his friend when and where he could get one (or five) and how much they probably were going to be to make sure that his friend was prepared, yanno, ’cause my child is so helpful like that. I watched this whole thing silently and with amazement. I had no idea my child was so proud of me. It suddenly didn’t matter that I had spent X amount of dollars on ingredients.
So what’s the point of this incredibly boring story of my child’s reverence for my lack of baking skills? I think that school bake sales have a lot more to offer than just fundraising. They offer social and business skills and darnit they just contribute to fond memories. There is a sense of community about the school bake sale. I would not want to see it dissected and scrutinized for every penny and every gram of sugar. The school bake sale is a chance for mom’s to collaborate, for children to be given some responsibility within their community, for a group of people to come together, buy each others goods, have a good time, and for children to store away fond memories from their childhood. And why does it matter? Because you only get to be a child one time. And we are raising future parents. Do we really want to scrub away the school bake sale with antisugar soap and a penny pinching sponge?
Perhaps my experiences with bake sales are different than others and I’m fine with that. I realize it takes time and money and effort. But I also realize that when it comes to my child, I don’t view the time and money and effort as going to waste because my child actually appreciates this from me. So for me it’s completely worth it. He was so proud to show me off to everyone and for me there is no dollar amount I can attach to that.
Incidentally, my son hyped up my goods so much that they were the most expensive thing on the table and the first to run out. I think my kid has a knack for marketing.
Chic Mummy says
Mommm! I agree with you 100% – it is so much more than just a fundraiser. It is showing, in a concrete, physical, way, that as a family we are contributing to our community. I really think one of the flaws of our modern western societies is that the pace of our lives means we try to “buy” our way out of things. No longer do our kids mow the lawns or help clean the house – that’s what the paid Lawnmower man or cleaning lady is for. And on and on it goes, and I truly believe that is causing our youth to miss out on so many learning opportunities.
Kate says
I really don’t care about the possibility of the school bake sale offering more opportunities for kids to have unhealthy kids. I’d also agree with momm! that the bake sale can offer other positives. I’ve never staffed a bake sale, but I have helped with other kid oriented fundraisers…it offers kids a chance to think about the most minimal skills necessary to sell something.
I don’t really mind them…they are something that rarely happens at our schools.
As far as the labor costs go, almost any sort of fundraising activity has some parent labor costs involved, or other hidden costs. I used to be involved in helping with girl scout cookies….who knows how much money I spent in gas alone.
Also as far as the labor costs go…some parents can easily pay any sort of fee, while some can’t…but might have the time to do such things. I know when I was involved with scouts, some of the leaders were really hesitant to raise the amount for dues as to not to price other families out of the activity.
I really wish no fundraisers were necessary…but I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Kate says
Oops I meant to say in my first sentence I didn’t care if a bake sale offered more opportunities to have unhealthy snacks.
Casey says
I think all school fundraisers should be looked at in terms of how they impact moderation for kids, families and communities. Unfortunately, the data shows too many people are failing at moderation when the average American consumes 242% over the recommended upper limit of added sugar.
http://www.jeffnovick.com/RD/Newsletter/Entries/2010/10/26_The_Myth_of_Moderation_Pt_1__Do_All_Foods_Really_Fit.html
Alicia says
I agree with mommm! about the value of those experiences. Kids seeing their parents bake at home is a big positive when you think of how much processed treats they are exposed to.
My one beef with bake sales is that so many people will go and buy something from the grocery bakery, or make something from a roll of dough or boxed brownies. I’m not going to say I’ve never used a boxed cake or brownies, but when I think of a bake sale, I think it should be homemade items.
While I have always loved to bake, having to deal with my sons food allergy really forced me to only bake homemade – one of the few positives I’ve taken away from the allergy experience. My kids know we mostly bake homemade item and I think they can now appreciate the difference. My daughter doesn’t even like most birthday cakes that come from the grocery store – though at times she wished I was a better artist.
mommm!!! says
LOL! Your post made me chuckle. You’re not alone…I too am the worst artist ever and any cake I make that has more than one layer is guaranteed to be lopsided.
Connie in NC says
I’m new here, but wanted to encourage both of you in your homemade efforts. Maybe trying a cake like this one would go over well with your kiddos!! http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/07/10/the-coolest-kids-birthday-cakes/
EdT. says
I agree with the others regarding the fact there are aspects to the bake sale other than simply the food, and that these aspects have value. Maybe the bake sale will evolve, with other things being offered for sale (for example, artwork or photography or healthy snacks or even a full multi-course meal perhaps) that are the product of the students’ own handiwork.
OTOH, “What if education were fully funded, and the Air Force had to hold an Art Auction in order to buy a bomber?” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.
~EdT.
mommm!!! says
Oh, how I wish we could do wine dinners instead. I’d be much more involved lol! But darnit there’s that pesky minors and alcohol thingy 😉
Nancy says
Oh, I have to laugh…when I was a kid (early-mid 1970’s) my grade school’s fundraising fair actually turned one of the classrooms into a bar. That’s where many of the grownups hung out while we kiddos ran around, tossing beanbags, playing bingo, getting our faces painted, and whatever else the fundraising committee cooked up.
Does it make a difference to point out it was a Catholic school?
Bettina Elias Siegel says
I love it!
Andrea says
I have been a PTO president and volunteered at several Election Day bake sales. I completely agree with Dana Woldow’s analysis of the cost-effectiveness, and no, I don’t like seeing overfed kids getting yet more sugar in their diets. However, in defense of the tradition (and I really do like those events, even as I acknowledge the downside), I offer:
1) At least at our school, people will contribute food (even something store bought) or will go to heroic baking efforts to a much greater extent than they will donate money. “Just give us what you’d spend to make a plate of brownies,” I think is a lovely idea, but in practice, we wouldn’t get as many contributors.
2) We get a lot of community goodwill out of having this event on Election Day. When voters come in, we can tell them about the good things happening on campus (or the needs we have) and we learn more about the school’s neighbors. Many, many voters don’t buy baked goods, but do leave $10 or $20 or more for the PTO.
3) Similarly, local restaurants/food shops will often donate a tray of something, which has a side benefit of opening the door to working with the PTO on other events.
4) Buying something at a bake sale, or contributing something to it, is a way for some of the less affluent families at our school to take part in fundraising, which they may not feel they can participate in otherwise.
5) we get healthier food contributions, too; it’s not all cookies and cupcakes. People bring fresh fruit, trail mix, tacos, hot dogs & veggie dogs, pizza, bagels, etc.
6) working shifts at a bake sale is a great way for new volunteers to get to know each other and become involved in PTO work in an easy, no-big-commitment kind of way. I guess I’m trying to say that it helps build community.
mommm!!! says
I never thought of doing a bake sale on election day….that’s a great idea! We’ve incorporated some fun stuff into previous ones like….
~In addition to selling baked goods, we sold tickets to a cake walk for a buck apiece and gave sheets cakes to the winners.
~We ran votes for the best baked goods and gave away a fun prize for that.
…..among other things. Our have been really fun!
Margo Wootan says
As both a mother and the nutrition policy director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, I am no fan of bake sales. Bake sales don’t make sense financially. We buy ingredients, bake and then send our kids to school with money to buy back those baked good. And, they are bad for kids’ health. Sweet baked goods are a leading source of calories, sugars and fat in kids’ diets. There are many more profitable fundraisers that don’t undermine their health: http://www.cspinet.org/new/pdf/Fundraising_Ideas_Fact_Sheet.pdf.
Bettina Elias Siegel says
Margo: Thanks for coming by TLT and for sharing the link to non-food fundraisers. For interested readers, you can also see a webinar on the same topic that Margo recently presented.
mommm!!! says
I was surprised to find bottled water on your list of recommended fund raisers. In fact I find it highly offensive considering the surreal amount of resources it requires to actually produce single use plastics and let’s not even talk about doing it for water of all things.
That aside, I found the usual suspects….wrapping paper, candles, toys, jewelry, knick knacks, chotchkies, brickabrack. Blah. Gimme a bake sale over high priced crap any day.
Robin says
As adults who grew up in the 70s and 80s, we need to stop trying to relive our childhoods vicariously through our own children.
I realized the other day that my children have never had Cracker Jacks or HoHo’s. For a few moments I felt badly about robbing them of such treasured treats from my youth and then quickly realized that they didn’t even care, and never have they even asked me for a Hostess treat, etc. There are so many examples I could come up with demonstrate how as parents, we often create experiences for our own children just because we have fond memories of doing the same things when we were kids.
Economics aside, I think that we could creatively come up with NEW fundraising ideas that would teach our children the same lessons and yield favorable results if executed correctly. There’s no reason that it has to be a bake sale. Just because it’s what we grew up with doesn’t mean this generation should follow the same model. Let’s think out of the box!
mommm!!! says
My child has never had cracker jacks or hohos, either. However, I grew up with baked goods made at home and I’m not sure how not having cracker jacks from the 70s relates to bake sales outside of the fact they both involve sweets? I dunno. I don’t see anything wrong with passing down my grandmother’s recipes for sweets (especially her WWII cake recipes) to my child and I certainly don’t see the connection to those things with hohos. Plus hohos are just kind of gross. No?
I find it odd that we have become a culture where such extremes exist….where we would rather buy 2 feet of over priced wrapping paper or an over scented candle instead of doing an activity at home (like baking) with your child just because the a bunch of other people in this whole country are overweight. That would be like telling my son he can’t have a cookie because there are too many obese people in the state we live in. It makes no sense to me. I guess that’s just me.
Michelle says
I wouldn’t necessarily call this a defense of bake sales but I would offer this — a bake sale with actual baked goods made from scratch vs prefabricated confections made from a huge list of unpronounceable ingredients AND at which adults are actually doing the purchasing and not children isn’t a bad thing. First, the purchasing parent can control when and how much to give their children. Second, if a parent is going to give their children a treat, why not support the community and a good cause? I liken it to buying a cookie from a local bakery vs Chips Ahoy, and giving your child one rather than the whole bag!
gary says
School bake sales contribute in a concrete way? Then why bother paying property or other taxes? If a school district is in need of money (and I don’t know of any that are not) then look no further than to the Pentagon’s bloated budget. I read somewhere that something like 22 thousand dollars a second (!) is being spent to keep us in perpetual war. Tell our “peace loving” politicians to free up some of that money for schools. Then we can sell or even give away cookies or other foods just because.