PHOENIX – It started with snow cones.

Arizona Schools Chief Diane Douglas recently granted exemptions to Smart Snack restrictions imposed on Arizona schools after learning that at least one school was forced to shut down after school snow cone sales because they didn’t meet the federal nutrition guidelines, Tucson.com reports.

“I have confidence that parents can decide whether or not to buy food for themselves or their children at fund-raiser events, just as easily as they can make their own food choices when their children are not at school,” Douglas said.

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“The thought that a federal bureaucrat knows better than parents what they can feed their own families is condescending and reprehensible.”

Douglas said she believes the federal school snack restrictions represent a significant problem with the federal government, which imposed the new limits on calories, fat, sugar, sodium and other nutritional elements through the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 at the urging of first lady Michelle Obama.

The snack restrictions implemented this year follow a series of changes imposed through the act in recent years that have convinced more than 1 million students to drop out of their school lunch program and bring food from home.

The school food restrictions – which also require students to take a fruit or vegetable, whether they want it or not – has also produced more than $1 billion in food waste from students who simply dump the greens in the garbage.

“Forcing parents and other supporters of schools to only offer federally approved food and snacks at fund-raisers is a perfect example of overreach by the government and intrusion into local control,” Douglas said, according to Tucson.com.

“I have ordered effective immediately, that the (Arizona Department of Education) Health and Nutrition Services division grant exemptions for all fund-raisers for both traditional public schools and charter public schools.”

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Douglas’ proclamation comes after Arizona state Sen. Debbie Lesko introduced Senate Bill 1267 to codify the fundraiser exemptions in state law.

“In part, the bill was sponsored when a fund-raiser was told they could not sell snow cones after school unless the snow cones were the type specifically allowed on a list of snacks approved by the federal government,” PrescotteNews.com reports.

Douglas, who recently took over as state superintendent from John Huppenthal, issued the fundraiser exemptions as part of a broader effort by Gov. Doug Ducey to reduce unnecessary regulations on business and school districts in The Grand Canyon State.

The Arizona Department of Education also announced in a recent House Appropriations Committee meeting that the superintendent is forming a committee of school officials to review current education regulations and recommend by December statues that are antiquated, overreaching or unnecessary, according to Prescott eNews.

“I support Governor Doug Ducey’s efforts to reduce regulation on business and believe the same should be done for school districts that are struggling with limited resources,” Superintendent Douglas said.

“If a rule, regulation, or statute does not contribute to bettering the education of our children or providing financial accountability, it needs to be seriously evaluated for elimination. While this will not solve all problems, laws are continually added over time, but rarely, if ever, reviewed for removal when they no longer serve a purpose.”