By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

AUBURN – Weekend and after-school bake sales are safe from a new state rule, according to the Auburn School Committee.

New Maine Department of Education rules forbid any food sales that don’t benefit the school lunch program. That included social and school group bake sales that help the school, according to Assistant Superintendent Tom Morrill.

“According to the rule, they could have their sale on school grounds, but the proceeds had to go back to the school lunch program,” he said.

School officials have agreed to exempt those groups, however. That’s allowed under the state rules.

“So the money they make can go to those organizations,” Morrill said. “In most cases, whether its a parent-teacher organization, the Lions Club or Scouts, most of what they do goes to support the kids, or school functions, in some way. So, it makes sense to let them accrue the money they’ve earned.”

The new rule affects PTA fairs and festivals or any event scheduled on school property after classes end for the day or on weekends. Groups are not allowed to sell while classes are in session or before classes, however.

The new rule does encourage those groups to offer healthy food as part of their fare, as well.

“It’s all part of a nationwide initiative attacking health and obesity issues,” he said. “Hopefully, kids will develop healthy eating habits based on their habits at home and at school, and that will lead to a healthy overall lifestyle.”

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