Smart Snacks in Schools: What They Are and Why They Matter

  

 What are Smart Snacks?

Smart Snacks came to fruition through the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This Act sought to provide students with more nutritious snack options during the school day to supplement their regular school meals, which were already under federal nutrition standards. In the 2014-2015 school year, the USDA began requiring schools to meet these new nutritional standards for "competitive foods," or snacks outside of the federal reimbursable meal program (i.e. breakfast and lunch), that are sold during the school day, whether through vending machines, snack bars, school stores, a la carte, or any other place on the school grounds. Limitations apply to all grade levels but vary by age group (i.e. elementary, middle, and high school). For example, caffeinated beverages may be sold to high school students but not to elementary and middle school students.

Smart Snacks contribute to students' overall health in several ways:

• They help students form better eating habits earlier in life. Less junk food, more brain food!

• They fight childhood obesity, high blood pressure, and other health issues.

• They offer more well-rounded nutrition at school to students who may not have access to healthy foods at home and reinforce healthy eating habits for students who routinely eat healthy foods at home.

Smart Snacks in School standards limit the amount of fat, sugar, sodium, and calorie content of all "competitive" foods and beverages.

Simultaneously, they promote whole grains, low fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and protein foods.

According to Smart Snack guidelines, the "school day" refers to the period from the midnight before to 30 minutes after the official school day ends. Student activities occurring on school grounds but after the end of the USDA-defined school day are not subject to the Smart Snack restrictions. For example, the concession stand at an evening football game would not be subject to these guidelines.

 What About School Fundraisers?

There are no restrictions on snacks used for fundraisers if:

• Fundraising items meet the Smart Snack standards.

• Fundraising happens during non-school hours as defined by Smart Snack regulations.

Exemptions may be used for items sold during the school day that do not meet the Smart Snack standards, with some restrictions:

• Each school is allowed 30 exemptions per school year.

• The fundraiser cannot be longer than 3 consecutive days in length.

• Each school must complete a tracking sheet that is kept on file for internal auditing purposes.

• Exempted items may not be sold from 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after any meal service such as breakfast and lunch. 

How do I Choose Snacks that Meet Smart Snack Standards?

To view the Smart Snack Standards for Foods and Beverages, please follow the link here. In addition, there are many great resources out there designed to guide your school in choosing nutritional snacks that meet these new guidelines and planning school events with these guidelines in mind. For your convenience, we have listed some below:

Smart Snacks Calculator
Fundraisers and Smart Snacks
Healthy Fundraising Ideas
Nutritional Lesson Planning
Nutritious Snack Recipes
Steps to Smart Snack Success

To view a listing of our PureFUN! Smart Snacks, please follow the link here.