Smart Snacks & Child Nutrition Stephanie Simms School Nutrition Policy Fellow

Background Smart Snacks guidelines went into effect on July 1, 2014 Part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010 that improved the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program Federal guidelines  further policies, restrictions, exemptions are determined by each state As you may know, these guidelines went into effect July 1, 2014. They were a part of the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010 that required the United States Department of Agriculture to set nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools. These are federal guidelines. Additional policies may be enacted by each state. Smart Snacks guidelines refer to competitive foods which are foods and beverages sold to students on campus during the school days which are not a part of the reimbursable meal program (NSLP and SBP) School day: midnight before to 30 minutes after school releases; School campus: individually defined by the school

Why Smart Snacks? Children are seeing a healthier school environment through both the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program Encourages children to make healthy choices PTA delegates passed a resolution at the 2004 National PTA Convention calling for stronger national guidelines for all foods sold in school Consistent messaging about healthy eating

Smart Snacks Guidelines Foods and beverages that must meet Smart Snack guidelines include those found in: à la carte lines vending machines snack bars school stores fundraisers (unless exempted) Colorado: They will allow up to three exemptions per school building for school year 2014-2015. The duration of the fundraisers will be determined by the Local Educational Agencies (LEA). However, the duration must comply with the intent of the legislation to increase the consumption of healthy foods during the school day and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits.

Parent Engagement with Child Nutrition Colorado PTA Health, Wellness & Safety Committee State PTA Health & Safety Chairs School PTA Healthy Lifestyle Chairs

Parent Engagement with Healthy Lifestyles Fire Up Your Feet Partnership between National PTA, Kaiser Permanente, and Safe Routes to School Colorado was chosen as one of 11 states and locations to participate in the 2014 Fire Up Your Feet Fall Activity Challenge National PTA as the Family Engagement Partner For the 2014 challenge: 9 schools were awarded a total of $6,500. This program is about promoting physical activity before, during, and after school for students, parents, and school staff and teachers. Fundraising component of the program: Active HEALTHY fundraising! Online donations!

Parent Engagement with Healthy Schools School Health Advisory Council Using PTA leaders as the organizer or main supporter of recommendations to implement specific policies from the council Involving PTA in the development of policies will help support healthy school environments. PTAs have resources such as national policy and advocacy contacts that they can reach out to regarding policy development, etc.

Parent Engagement with Smart Snacks Students Adjust to Healthy School Snacks: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/education/2014/10/03/greenville-county-school-students-adjust-healthy-school-snacks/16646521/ About 3:00

Parent Engagement with Healthy Fundraisers 5Ks, Fun Runs, Walk or Bike-a-thons Group Exercise Events (Zumba, Kickboxing) Family Fitness Days or Healthy Carnivals Development of a cookbook with family recipes Non-food items such as water bottles, t-shirts, socks with school logo Cooking Classes or Demonstrations Fruit sales Talent or art shows Community engagement with the 5Ks and physical activity events! Online donations have shown to be incredibly successful!

School Wellness Policies New rule from USDA expected in 2015 regarding strengthened and improved local wellness policies Include Healthy Lifestyle Chair and parents Required in 2006-2007; part of HHFKA to strengthen and improve these policies Open for comments in late February 2014 and closed in April; expected final rule in 2015- potentially later Summary of Proposed Rule is Posted on USDA’s website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/LWPproprulesummary.pdf.

Ways PTA Can Help Work with the school nutrition staff to understand how PTA can support them in gaining acceptance of the new federal nutrition standards Incorporate foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks guidelines into PTA events Open dialogue with school staff Support schools in implementing the changes to provide healthier foods and beverages to every student

Resources Colorado Department of Education: Office of School Nutrition http://www.cde.state.co.us/nutrition National PTA Smart Snacks Webpage with Implementation Guide: www.pta.org/smartsnacks Alliance for a Healthier Generation- Smart Snacks https://www.healthiergeneration.org/take_action/schools/snacks_and_beverages/smart_snacks/ USDA Smart Snacks http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-focusing-smart-snacks Center for Science in the Public Interest Smart Snacks http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/smartsnacks.html

Questions? For additional information or questions, please contact Stephanie Simms at ssimms@pta.org or schoolfoods@pta.org.