Smart Snacks in Schools
- Food Services
The US Department of Agriculture’s Smart Snacks in School rules require all foods and beverages sold separate from school meals to meet these nutrition standards. Often referred to as “competitive foods,” because they are sold in competition to the complete reimbursable school meal, these items include entrees, sides, snacks or drinks sold during the school day in vending machines, snack bars and a la carte lines. The rules do not apply to food and beverages brought from home or sold during non-school hours, weekends or at off campus events (e.g. concessions during sporting events and school plays).
The Smart Snacks in School rules set additional guidelines for entrées sold a la carte. Our full meals meet all Federal and State Nutritional standards for meals that are provided to students at breakfast and lunch. However if we sell the entrees a la carte, they must additionally meet the Smart Snacks in School rules. What does this mean? It means we do not sell entrees a la carte to our students. For example, we are not able to sell students an extra slice of pizza or other daily entrée. We encourage very hungry students to utilize the fruit and vegetable bar to its full potential. They can purchase a complete second meal.
All food provided for students during the school day for classroom parties, celebrations, fund-raisers, rewards, and school events must be purchased from a licensed Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) retailer, and must be in the original container.
- Food Services