School Meals
All schools within the District participate in USDA child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP). The school meal programs aim to improve the dietary intake and health of students , help mitigate childhood obesity, model healthy eating to support the development of lifelong healthy eating patterns and support healthy choices. The District ensures that all reimbursable school meals meet program requirements and nutritional standards found in federal regulations.
All schools within the District are committed to offering school meals that:
- Are accessible to all students;
- Are appealing and attractive;
- Are served in clean and pleasant settings;
- Meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established by local, state, and Federal statutes and regulations.
- Promote healthy food and beverage choices using Smarter Lunchroom techniques.
Competitive Foods and Beverages
To support healthy food choices and improve student health, all foods and beverages sold outside the reimbursable school meal program during the school day must meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks nutrition standards. Those standards limit the Calories to< 200, sodium to < 200 mg, fat to< 35% of calories, and sugar to< 35% of weight from total sugars in foods, for all foods sold in the school during the school day.
They also state that all snacks sold must be "whole grain rich" or have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product or a protein food. These standards will apply in all locations and through all services where foods and beverages are sold, which may include, but are not limited to, a la carte options in cafeterias, vending machines, school stores and snack or food carts.
Fundraisers
Fundraisers are time-honored traditions that support local school activities, such as class trips, athletic programs, and the purchase of school supplies. Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards seek to balance school funding with student wellness.
To support children's health and school m: nutrition-education, all food or beverages sold during the school day must m(d' the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. This includes foods sold as part of a school event, music/speech event, bake sales, other fundraisers, school store, etc. (by both student and parent groups) that occur during the school day. The school day is defined as midnight to 30 minutes after the last bell of the day.
Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards only apply to foods and beverages sold to students on the school campus during the school day. The nutrition standards do not apply to foods and beverages sold at events held after school, off campus, or on weekends, such as school plays or sporting events.
Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards do not apply to fundraising activities that take place outside of school, such as cookie dough or frozen pizza sales. Distribution of order forms and foods not intended for consumption at school are not affected by these standards and may continue.
The Smart Snacks in School rule does not limit fundraisers that sell non-food items or foods or beverages that meet the new standard. Healthy options available to schools include selling fresh produce, books, school spirit merchandise or other non-food items during the school day.
Celebrations and Rewards
Parents and staff are encouraged to be consistent with the goals of this policy to create a healthy school environment, when providing food as a snack or at a celebration during the school day.
Nutrition Promotion
Nutrition promotion will be used to positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by displaying healthy nutrition messages and creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and participation in the school meal program. As a District, all staff and students should receive consistent nutrition messages in the classroom, gymnasium, and cafeterias to support a healthy environment throughout the schools.
The District is committed to marketing food and beverages consistent with nutrition and health promotion efforts of the wellness policy. It is the intent of the District to approve advertising and marketing for only those foods and beverages permitted to be sold on the school campus; while choosing the healthier options when available.
Physical Activity
Physical Education
The District will provide students with physical education, using an age-appropriate, sequential physical education curriculum consistent with national and state standards.
Family Engagement
Activities shall he designed to engage families as active participants in their children's education; that promote the ability of families to support children's school achievement; and that encourages the collaboration with community resources and services to respond more effectively to the health-related needs of the student.
Staff Wellness
Schools in the District will implement strategies to support staff in actively promoting and modeling healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.
Policy History:
Adopted on: June 12, 2017
Reviewed on: June 13, 2011
Revised on: