Bake sales banned in Mass. schools

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) - New state nutrition guidelines ban bake sales in schools.

22News explains why the move is creating controversy and how some lawmakers are fighting it.

It's being called a "brownie ban," a "cupcake crackdown," a "cookie crisis," a move to prohibit bake sales in Massachusetts schools is making national headlines.

The ban is part of a new law that limits students' access to junk food before and after school to fight obesity.

However, it’s not a popular plan.

Gloria McLellan of Feeding Hills said, “If their mothers don't want them to have them, then they won't let them eat them.  I don't feel like it's any big thing, they make a big thing over nothing." The ban goes into effect next school year and extracurricular groups are now worried about what this could do to their fundraising.

State Senator Michael Knapik of Westfield told 22News, “The overreaching part of this was it would literally ban bake sales, booster sales, parties in the classroom with birthday cakes or cupcakes anything like that and I don't think it was anyone's intention." 

The house passed an amendment Wednesday exempting bake sales from the new nutrition guidelines.

The senate is expected to follow Thursday with an amendment by Senator Knapik.

Springfield Diocese Spokesman Mark Dupont told 22News, the ban does not apply to Private and Parochial Schools, and they plan to continue to hold bake sales.