Smart Snacks in Schools:Gearing up for new competitive food rules in schools

©2013 General Mills

At-A-Glance: Nutrition Standards For All Foods At-A-Glance: Nutrition Standards For All Foods Sold in Schools (Sold in Schools (AKA Competitive FoodsAKA Competitive Foods))

• Applies to all food and beverages (outside the reimbursable meal programs) sold on campus during the school day & accessible to students A la carte in the cafeteria In school stores Snack bars Vending machines Other venues

• Applies to all grade levels• Food and beverages must meet general standards

AND specific nutrient standards Provides exemptions to nutrient standards for specific foods

• Nutrition standards are minimum standards—schools districts may establish additional standards

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When do the standards apply? When do the standards apply?

School day is the period from the midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day.

Summary Table of Nutrition Standards for ALL Summary Table of Nutrition Standards for ALL Competitive Foods Sold in SchoolsCompetitive Foods Sold in Schools

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MUST MEET ALL:

Per Portion as ServedCalories Fat Sat Fat Trans Fat Sodium (mg) Sugar

Snacks and side dishes:

<200

<35% calories2 < 10% calories3

0g as served (<0.5 g per

portion)

Snacks and side dishes: Until July 1, 2016: <230mg

After July 1, 2016: <200mg < 35% total sugars by weight4

Entrée items1: <350 Entrée items: <480 mg

Must also be ONE of the following:

A. Must be a combination food containing >1/4 cup fruit or vegetable

B. Must be a grain product that contains:

C. Must be at least one of the following non-grain main food

groups:

D. Must contain ≥10% DV of one of the following nutrients:

 Whole grain (>50% whole grain by weight OR whole grain is first ingredient OR 1st ingredient after water)

• Fruit, Vegetable, Dairy or Protein Foods (As first ingredient or second after water)

 Calcium• Potassium• Vitamin D• Dietary Fiber

(Note: This criteria will be obsolete on July 1, 2016 and may not be used to qualify foods)

1Entrées defined as combination foods of: grain + meat; grain + fruit or vegetable; meat + fruit or vegetable; or meat alone2Does not apply to reduced fat cheese, nuts/seeds, seafood3Does not apply to reduced fat cheese, nuts/seeds4Does not apply to certain dried fruits and vegetables

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AccompanimentsAccompaniments

Must be included in the nutrient profile as a part of food item sold and meet standards, examples:

◦ Dips in vegetables◦ Dressings on salads◦ Butter◦ Jam/jelly◦ Cream cheese◦ Ketchup ◦ Garnishes etc.

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Summary Table of Nutrition Standards for Beverages Summary Table of Nutrition Standards for Beverages Sold in SchoolsSold in Schools

Beverage ElementarySchool

MiddleSchool

HighSchool

Plain water, carbonated or not

no size limit no size limit no size limit

Low fat milk, unflavored*

≤ 8 oz ≤ 12 oz ≤ 12 oz

Non fat milk, unflavored or flavored *

≤ 8 oz ≤ 12 oz ≤ 12 oz

100% fruit/vegetable juice **

≤ 8 oz ≤ 12 oz ≤ 12 oz

Other calorie-free beverages

Not allowed Not allowed ≤ 20 oz

Other lower calorie beverages

Not allowed Not allowed ≤ 12 oz

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*Includes nutritionally equivalent milk alternatives, as permitted by NSLP/SBP **May include 100% juice diluted with water (with or without carbonation) & withno added sweeteners

What do these “Smart Snacks in School” What do these “Smart Snacks in School” standards look like?standards look like?

Reduce consumption of sodium and calories coming from fat, saturated fat and sugar

Promote consumption of products with whole grain, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables or protein foods as their main ingredients 8

From USDA Smart Snacks Infographic

Before the New Standards

After the New Standards

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USDA Resources for SchoolsUSDA Resources for Schools

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/allfoods

•http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/allfoods_flyer.pdf

•http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/smart-snacks-school

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Promote positive change to students, parents, school staff and the community:

Involve the students! Form a Smart Snacks for Schools student group to provide input for program choices and also to spread the word to peers.Include Smart Snacks in Schools info on your website, menus, school newsletters, etc.Pitch the new competitive food changes to your local community (e.g. radio, television, newspapers, social media, email lists, etc.)For more ideas on promoting your new snack program, access the USDA school breakfast marketing toolkit - http://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/toolkit_marketingresources

Image source: LAUSD Food Serviceshttp://cafe-la.lausd.net/cafe_la_menu

Getting the word out!Getting the word out!

Smart Snacks Calculator

Smart Snacks Calculator

http://tools.healthiergeneration.org/calc/calculator/

ResourcesResources USDA Smart Snacks in Schools

Smart Snacks Resources