In what could be the biggest news to hit school lunch since Reagan attempted to classify ketchup as a vegetable, State Senator Jarrett Barrios is set to introduce legislation to outlaw the Fluffernutter on school lunch trays around the state. After Barrios' son was served a Marshmallow Fluff and Peanut Butter sandwich at his elementary school, the Senator took up the fight against the gooey, delicious sandwich. On the heels of the vending machine battle which has resulted in a total calorie count maximum on vendible beverages, the political time seems right to take on a new crusade.
Marshmallow Fluff has a special place in the hearts of many New Englanders. The stuff was invented in Somerville (part of Barrios' home district), sold to Durkee-Mower, who still make it in Lynn, and has recently brought a lawsuit against Williams-Sonoma for the use of their trademarked "Fluffernutter." The legislation, in the form of an amendment to a junk-food bill, will seek not to eliminate Fluff from the school lunch menu but to limit it to being served no more than once a week. The "food" made up of 50% sugar was questioned by bloggers and main stream reporters alike today as being worthy of the classification food. Sounds like candy, and a majority of it is. The merits of banning Fluff as part of school lunch may be true, honest, and worthy, but singling out something so reminiscent of childhood and a guilty pleasure for many adults even today may not be the right approach. Passing legislation to limit the sugar intake and content of an overall lunch, creating levels and limits for nutritional content, and eliminating a la carte lunches where two Little Debbie packages and a bag of Cheetos count as a meal might gain more favor with local voters.
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