The Nanny-State Diaries: Cupcake Prohibition in NY Schools

It is truly a sad state of affairs when the government dictates how you eat but that is the reality that we now live in. Just in time for Halloween, the East Syracuse-Minoa school district has become the first in Central New York to outlaw cupcakes on school property. That’s right – not weapons, not drugs, not pornography…..but cupcakes.

And this is a trend that health experts predict will spread throughout the region. Now I would think even the most statist, neo-newdealians would be opposed to the government meddling with what parents put in their kids’ lunch pales but apparently this is not the case. The Syracuse Post-Standard reports that “schools around the country are cracking down on cupcakes in the classroom.” This come as a result of the local wellness policies required by federal nutrition guidelines that went into effect in 2006.

It’s unfortunate that the government and school districts feel that parents are unfit to raise their kids properly and teach them about a proper diet and lifestyle. Rather than having big brother decide what little Jimmy and Suzy can and can’t eat, I would recommend allowing a treat every now and then to teach children the virtue of moderation, coupled with the importance of exercise and physical activity.