The Significance of Banning School Candy Sales

The fallout from banning candy sales at schools.

There are many ways students can make sales. They can sell to people that they know, like neighbors and family. They can also get their parents to help them by approaching people they know, like fellow workers. However, that candy bar fundraiser you've had so much success with has fallen under some scrutiny.

Many school districts now have health restriction policies preventing students from selling these items on campus. Other products have been affected, but the most significant impact has been on candy products, like lollipops.

Even with other ways to make sales, there's no denying that banning school candy sales has had a negative impact.

Candy Health Concerns

Undoubtedly, most candy and snack food products sold by students lack nutritional value. Many would argue that these items are unhealthy and set a bad example. More students are overweight than ever, and a significant part of the problem is unhealthy eating. Even though schools can't control what students do off campus, they're attempting to do their part during school hours.

It Comes Down to Safety

According to ptotoday.com, school groups raise more than $1.5 billion per year selling company fundraising products, like candy and beef jerky, than any other method. This accounts for approximately 80 percent of all money raised through fundraisers. Another concern with product sales is students going door to door unsupervised by an adult. In other words, students are outside the safe confines of the school.

The Effects of Banning In-School Candy Sales

Selling to peers represents one of the largest and most lucrative student markets. This is particularly true with older high school students. Banning the selling of certain items at school has dramatically hindered this. Most candy and snack food items are inexpensive yet affordable to most students. Most product sales rely on impulsive buying; when something's cheap and tastes good, you don't have to think too hard about purchasing it.

Not only have student-to-student sales been affected, but other selling types have also been affected. Concession stands and bake sales have also been hit hard, as certain popular items can no longer be sold on campus.

Fundraising Company Responses

To answer these challenges, some companies are adjusting. To sell their products on school campuses, a few are responding with healthier alternatives that now meet the more stringent health guideline requirements.

For example, Van Wyk Confections has developed a healthier version of its popular pretzel rod candy that meets strict guidelines. Another company, Jack Link's, will introduce new versions of their original, Teriyaki and pepper-flavored beef jerky that meet sodium standards. Alternatively, products that offer nutritional value, like a popcorn fundraiser, may be sold on some campuses, depending on their rules.

If students can sell on campus during school hours by offering healthier products that will also appeal to their peers, we've helped solve more than one problem.

See our product fundraisers.

Author Bio

Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.