1. Smart Snacks Overview Stephanie Simms- National PTA
School Nutrition Policy Fellow
Nancy Lyons- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Senior Policy Analyst, Child Nutrition Division

2. 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, 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

3. 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

4. Smart Snacks Guidelines
Smart Snacks guidelines applies to “Competitive Foods”
“foods and beverages sold to students on campus during the school days which are not a part of the reimbursable meal program” (Campus is defined by the individual school and the school day is midnight before the school day to 30 minutes after school releases)
Foods affected by the Smart Snacks guidelines are those sold at school as competitive foods
Source: USDA;

5. 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)

6. Is it a Smart Snack? Is it a food or beverage?
Is it sold during school hours (midnight prior to the school day to 30 minutes after school releases)?
Is it sold to students?
Is it sold on the school campus?
Is it sold as a fundraiser or in an à la carte line, vending machine, snack bar, school store, etc.?
If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, then your product must meet Smart Snack guidelines.

7. Determining if it is a Smart Snack
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Product Calculator:
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Product Navigator:
USDA Smart Snacks Information:
The product calculator will easily walk you through the nutritional information of your food or beverage and will tell you whether or not it meets the Smart Snacks guidelines
The product navigator has compiled a list of items that already meet the Smart Snacks guidelines
At the USDA Smart Snacks information page you will find the detailed summary of standard and many other important resources to consult

8. Fundraisers
Must meet Smart Snacks guidelines if it is a food or beverage sold during the school day on the school campus
Some states are allowing fundraiser exemptions for schools:
Healthy fundraisers, including food and non-food, that meet the guidelines will be available for you on the National PTA Smart Snacks page:
(launching at the end of September/beginning of October)
Fundraisers sold outside of the school day or on weekends do not have to meet Smart Snacks guidelines such as those at football games in the evening or doughnut sales on the weekends.
Some school wellness policies may have additional regulations surrounding fundraisers- be sure to check yours!

9. Fundraisers
Catalog fundraisers (cookie dough, frozen pizzas) and items not intended to be consumed at school during the school day by students are exempt from Smart Snacks guidelines
No limits for fundraisers that meet Smart Snacks guidelines
Foods and beverages sold outside of the defined school day or off campus do not have to meet Smart Snacks guidelines
Individual schools may have policies regarding what can and cannot be sold at fundraisers- be sure to check your local wellness policy.
Catalog items do not have to comply and those that are off-campus also do not have to comply.
There are an increasing number of alternatives available to raise money for your school without serving unhealthy foods- physical activity alternatives: 5ks, walk a thons, fitness classes, biking events, boot camps, Fire up Your Feet Program; also non-food item fundraisers are an alternative and may sell things like water bottles, cookbooks with recipes submitted by students, pedometers, etc.
If you have an alternative fundraiser and would like to be highlighted me at to be featured on our Smart Snacks webpage!

10. Celebrations & Events
Foods and beverages not sold such as those given away at birthday parties or field day do NOT have to meet the Smart Snacks guidelines
Some local wellness policies are regulating what foods and beverages are served at celebrations or events so be sure to check that before bringing foods and beverages to school
Foods that are given away do not have to meet the Smart Snacks guidelines as they are not being sold.
These may include food given out at birthday parties such as cupcakes, cakes, cookies, pizza, etc.
However, some schools have strictly limited the foods that parents/guardians can bring for celebrations for many reasons & one being food allergies- be sure to check your local wellness policy as well as with your child’s teacher or principal to determine what can or cannot be provided for celebrations or events.

11. Compliancy
Local Education Agencies (LEA) must determine if a school is compliant with Smart Snacks guidelines
Within a school it may vary who is responsible for that school’s compliancy; it may be the principal or another administrator
Reach out to your school and see who is in charge of making sure foods and beverages sold at school during the day are compliant with Smart Snacks guidelines
Finding out who is responsible for determining if a school is or is not compliant with Smart Snacks guidelines can be difficult. It is up to the local education agency to identify person(s) responsible for dealing with compliancy. Be sure to find out who this person is so that you can work with them through the year at all events to ensure the foods and beverages that are affected by these guidelines are in fact meeting the Smart Snacks guidelines.

12. Ways Your PTA Can Help
Work with the school nutrition staff to understand how PTA can support them in gaining acceptance of the new 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

13. School Wellness Policies
Update nutrition guidelines for activities, meetings, celebrations, events, etc. to reflect Smart Snacks guidelines
Learn more about how you can get involved with your school wellness policy at

14. Healthier US School Challenge
Smart Snacks guidelines for Healthier US School Challenge schools:
Criteria for all levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Gold Award of Distinction

15. USDA Website & Resources http://www. fns. usda

16. USDA Website & Resources

17. What’s Next
National PTA Implementation Guide distributed to all state and local PTAs in October that includes additional resources from other organizations
Smart Snacks webpage to be launched at the end of September/beginning of October:
Web or in-person trainings by the School Nutrition Policy Fellow can be requested at
For further assistance contact the School Nutrition Policy Fellow at
Highlight section for your fundraiser on the webpage
Additional webinars TBD
National PTA is currently working on an implementation guide due out at the beginning of October for state and local PTAs to understand the Smart Snacks guidelines and how to comply with them. Some of the information that is in the guide was shared with you during this webinar.
A webpage dedicated to Smart Snacks through the National PTA website is in development and will be ready at the same time of the implementation guide. The webpage will include supporting resources from other organizations, a healthy fundraiser section, the product calculator and USDA summary, tools for parents to encourage their children to live healthy lives, the ability to request either state or local trainings by the School Nutrition Policy Fellow, feature spotlight or highlight of schools that are hosting healthy events/celebrations/fundraisers, and a state specific drop down menu regarding your states policies of nutrition in schools.
There will be future webinars that dates and times are being determined for- when those are scheduled we will notify you so that you can sign up.

18. Questions?
If you have additional questions that were not answered during the webinar, please contact the School Nutrition Policy Fellow at