COMPETITIVE FOODS AND BEVERAGES
The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs on the school campus during the school day will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. As used herein, “school day” means the period from the midnight before, to 30 minutes after, the end of the instructional day. The Smart Snacks standards provide science-based standards that promote fruit, vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains while limiting fat, sugar, and sodium. These standards make it easier for students to select healthier food and beverage items by giving them greater access to healthier foods.
The district will utilize the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Smart Snack Product Calculator to determine product compliance when considering food items to sell to students during the school day. All foods and beverages sold on the school campus during the school day outside of the reimbursable school meal programs, including those sold through à la carte lines, vending machines, snack bars, student stores, or fundraising activities (i.e. “competitive foods”), will meet the meal pattern requirements and nutrition standards for Smart Snacks in School. Smart snacks standards do not apply to foods or beverages brought to school from home for lunch, parties, or special events, although the district encourages students to make healthy choices with respect to all food and beverages brought from home.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE MARKETING
It is the intent of the district to protect and promote student health by permitting advertising and marketing for only those foods and beverages that meet federal nutrition standards and are permitted to be sold on campus, consistent with the district’s wellness policy. Food and beverage marketing and advertising during the school day will be limited to only those foods and beverages that meet the competitive food requirements and align with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
FUNDRAISING
All fundraising efforts by the school or any school-sponsored organization involving the sale of food and beverage items will be reviewed by the school wellness committee. In determining whether to approve the fundraising, the administration will consider the committee’s recommendation as to whether the items adhere to the nutrition standards outlined above.
If foods and beverages do not follow the nutrition standards, the organization must request an exemption. Fundraisers requiring an exemption may not be longer than four (4) consecutive school days in duration and exempt food and beverage items may not be sold in district food service areas during meal service. Exempt fundraisers in excess of four (4) consecutive school days will be counted as two (2) or more fundraisers. Unless the district requests and receives approval from SDE for additional exempt fundraisers, the district is limited to ten (10) exempted fundraisers per year per school site. Requests for additional exempt fundraisers will be made to SDE on its approved form, together with the district’s fundraising tracking form. A designee of the school wellness committee will be available to meet with student fundraising organizations to communicate Smart Snacks standards should case-specific questions arise.
The nutrition standards outlined above do not apply to items sold during non-school hours, weekends, off-campus fundraising events, or foods intended to be consumed or prepared outside of school such as cookie dough and raw pizza kits.
NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR OTHER FOODS AND BEVERAGES IN SCHOOLS
Celebrations and Snacks
Snacks served during the school day or in after-school programs will emphasize healthy choices, such as serving fruits and vegetables as the primary snacks and water as the primary beverage. Schools will assess if and when to offer snacks based on the timing of school meals, student age and nutritional needs, and other relevant considerations. Schools that provide eligible snacks through after-school programs will follow the federal guidelines for the Afterschool Snack Program.
The school wellness committee will develop a list of recommended healthy snack and beverage items to provide to teachers, after-school program personnel, and parents. The list will be utilized when planning classroom snacks, school-sponsored parties, social events, and school functions.
Food as Rewards
All foods offered on the school campus during the school day will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
Teachers are discouraged from using food as a reward for students and will not withhold food or beverages as a punishment. The school wellness committee will develop guidelines for appropriate alternative reward systems that incorporate social rewards, recognition and praise, privileges, and opportunities for classroom physical activity or recess.
Vending Machines
The superintendent/designee has authority to approve the installation of vending machines, including where they will be placed and during which hours they might be used. All revenue produced from this source shall be deposited in the designated activity fund as approved by the board. Revenues may be spent only on those purposes for which general revenue may be expended. All approved vending machines must comply with the standards of the Smart Snacks in Schools regulations and documentation of compliance shall be retained by the district.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
42 U.S.C. §1758b (2010) – Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010
7 CFR Parts 210 and 220 – National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program Regulations
CROSS-REFERENCE:
569 – School Wellness
770 – Food and Nutrition Services
772 – Nutrition Standards
ADOPTED: January 13, 2025
AMENDED: