All Foods Sold in Schools, aka “Smart Snacks” Implementation Guidance for July 1, 2014 Implementation of: Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 Created by: Colorado Department of Education Office of School Nutrition April 2014
The School Nutrition Environment 2 Improving the nutritional profile of all foods sold in school is critical to: Improving diet and overall health of American children; Ensuring children from all income levels adopt healthful eating habits that will enable them to live productive lives; and Helping children make healthier choices and reduce their risk of obesity.
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Gave USDA authority to establish nutrition standards for all foods and beverages sold outside of the Federal child nutrition programs in schools The law specifies that the nutrition standards shall apply to all foods sold Outside the school meals programs; On the school campus; and At any time during the school day.
The Smart Snacks Rule Timeline 250,000 comments received February 2013 Proposed Rule Published June 2013 Formal 120 day comment period – October2013 Interim Final Rule Implementation date: July 1, 2014 USDA requests feedback on interim final rule before publishing a final rule Implementation
Colorado Smart Snack Rules CO Competitive Foodservice Policy CO Healthy Beverages Policy Effective July 1, 2009 Federal Policy Effective July 1, 2014 Regulations Guiding CO Implementation
Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Aka, “Smart Snacks” FEDERAL POLICY
The nutrition standards apply to all foods sold to students: Outside the school meals programs; On the school campus; and At any time during the school day Standards for All Foods Sold Applies to foods sold: A la carte items In school stores At snack bars In vending machines For fundraising (i.e. bake sales) Does not apply to foods: Brought from home Fundraisers that occur outside of school Birthday/Classroom celebrations Sold in areas in which students have restricted access Sold as part of the reimbursable breakfast or lunch meals
To be allowable for sale, a food item first must meet one of the following general standards: Be a whole grain-rich grain productwhole grain-rich The first ingredient is either a fruit, vegetable, dairy, or protein food Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup fruit or vegetablecombination food Contains 10% DV for calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber General Food Standards
Nutrient Standards Snack Items: ≤ 200 calories Entrée Items: ≤ 350 calories Total Calories Total fat (≤ 35% of calories from total fat) Saturated fat (<10% of calories from saturated fat) Trans fat (0 grams of trans fat) Fats Snack items: ≤ 230 mg Entrée items: ≤ 480 mg Sodium ≤35 % weight from total sugars in foods Sugar Then, ensure the food(s) as packaged and sold meet the nutritional criteria for all of these nutrients:
The LEA and Food Fundraisers at school Food-based fundraisers intended to be sold to students and consumed on campus must meet the Smart Snacks food and nutrient standards Based on feedback from school food service directors statewide, the Colorado Department of Education Office of School Nutrition has established up to three exemptions per school building for school year LEAs should include in their wellness policies standards for fundraisers and foods available for purchase Fundraising activities that take place outside of school are exempt from meeting the nutrition standards.
Beverage Standards Bottled Water Fat free or low fat milk 100% JuiceOther Elementary ≤8oz ≤150 cal/8oz ≤8oz ≤120 cal/8 oz Not allowed Middle ≤10oz ≤150 cal/8oz ≤10oz ≤120 cal/8oz Not allowed High School ≤12oz ≤150 cal/8oz ≤12oz ≤120cal/8oz ≤20oz ≤5 cal/8oz or ≤10 cal/20oz* ≤12oz ≤40 cal/8oz or ≤60cal/12oz* Diet soda not allowed Ensure all beverages sold to students meet the Colorado Healthy Beverages Policy Most of Colorado’s state-based requirements are stricter than the minimum requirements set forth in the federal Smart Snack regulation Beverage Standards apply to the extended school day as defined in state statute Standards do not apply to beverages sold during school-related events where parents are a significant part of the audience * Smart Snacks requirement
Colorado Competitive Food Service Policy 1 CCR – In those schools participating in the School Breakfast and/or National School Lunch program(s), competitive food service is any food or beverage service available to students that is separate and apart from the district’s nonprofit federally reimbursed foodservice program, and is operated by school approved organizations, school staff or by school-approved outside vendors – Such competitive food service shall not operate in competition with the district’s foodservice program, and shall be closed for a period beginning one half hour to and remain closed until one half hour after the last regular scheduled school lunch and/or school breakfast period on the campus where the school lunch and/or school breakfast is served. Ensure all food sales are in compliance with the Colorado Competitive Food Service Policy Colorado’s state-based competitive food service requirements are stricter than the minimum requirements set forth in the federal Smart Snack regulation.
Ensuring Compliance with Competitive Food Services Rules Q.) Does the school allow food and beverages sales to students, other than the Federal Breakfast and Lunch Programs, that occur on the school campus, during the school day, where revenue does not accrue to the non-profit food service account? Examples: vending machines, school stores, snack bars, food-based fundraisers (bake sales, pizza sales), etc.? If Yes: 1. Sales must not occur from a period beginning ½ prior to and remain closed for ½ hour after the scheduled reimbursable meal service time; and 2. Every food and beverage sold must meet federal “Smart Snack” food and nutrient standards. Every beverage sold must also be in compliance with the Colorado Healthy Beverages Policy If no, then competitive food service is not occurring.
Local Educational Agency Must: Establish policies and procedures necessary to ensure compliance Maintain records and document compliance for all competitive food available for sale to students in areas under its jurisdiction and outside of SFA control Ensure organizations responsible for food service maintain records and ensure compliance School Food Authority Must: Maintain records documenting compliance with these foods sold under the umbrella of the nonprofit school food service Responsibilities
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Regulations Guiding Colorado’s Implementation Federal Smart Snacks Policy Alliance for a Healthier Generation Smart Snacks Calculator t_snacks/product_calculator/ t_snacks/product_calculator/ Federal Food-Fundraiser Fact Sheet Questions and Answers Related to the Smart Snacks Interim Final Rule References and Resources
17 Contact the CDE OSN with any questions or concerns: or The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Complaint Form, found online at or at any USDA office, or call (866) to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , by fax (202) or at Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) ; or (800) (Spanish) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.