School fundraiser restrictions

School fundraiser restrictions prohibiting the sale of unhealthy foods and beverages are a suggested strategy to decrease access to such foods, improve the school food environment, and support student health^{3, 4}. One study suggests small school districts are less likely than large school districts to have established school fundraiser restrictions⁵. Additional evidence is needed to confirm effects.

The need to raise funds is often cited as a barrier to implementing school fundraiser restrictions⁶; however, many alternative strategies such as a-thons (e.g., walk-a-thons, jog-a-thons, dance-a-thons, read-a-thons, etc.), auctions, raffles, events (e.g., talent shows, dances, recycling drives, etc.), healthy food sales, or school spirit item sales can raise funds^{2, 7, 8}.

As of 2014-2015, the federal Smart Snacks in School regulation requires that all foods and beverages sold in school during the school day meet minimum nutrition guidelines, which includes foods and beverages sold during school hours for fundraisers, unless items are not intended for consumption at school or have been exempted at the state level (e.g., some states have policies that exempt a certain number of in-school fundraisers from Smart Snack standards). Federal policy does not limit fundraisers selling nonfood items, foods that meet Smart Snack standards, food intended to be consumed outside of school, or fundraisers during non-school hours, on weekends, or at off-campus events⁹.

Many schools across the country are trying alternatives to selling unhealthy foods at fundraisers; the Center for Science in the Public Interest has collected examples of healthy food fundraisers in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas¹⁰.