Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Uncrustables sandwich contract for schools draws Portland parents’ ire

Associated Press

PORTLAND – The Portland Public Schools Board has tabled a proposed contract to purchase pre-packaged peanut butter and jelly sandwiches after parents complained that they contain high-fructose corn syrup.

The school board on Tuesday removed the $350,000 contract to purchase more than 600,000 Smuckers Uncrustables from the agenda, OregonLive reported.

The trouble started when longtime PTA leader Craig Williams posited on Facebook that the crust-free sandwiches aren’t particularly healthy. Many area parents chimed in that they were unhappy with the corn syrup and that the sandwiches aren’t locally sourced.

The district already uses locally sourced bread, pizza dough, meat and marinara sauce.

District Nutrition Director Gitta Grether-Sweeney says the Uncrustables meet school nutrition guidelines and are both shelf-stable and packaged in a way that ensures peanuts don’t contaminate other food.