Smart Snacks in Schools Standards

The USDA recently published the “Smart Snacks in School” standards for all foods sold in school outside the school meals programs. These practical, science-based standards are for foods sold in vending machines and a la carte lines – standards that make the healthy choice the easy choice for students.
The new standards become effective in the 2014-15 school year.

It is important to note that USDA has no role in regulating foods brought from home. The standards do not apply to any foods brought to school in bagged lunches, or for birthday parties and special events, including after-school bake sales and fundraisers.
The standards do not apply to snacks for special class rewards and celebrations. 

The new standards will not impact Bancroft-Rosalie Schools very much since we do not sell sodas or any foods from our vending machines. 

Highlights of the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards include:

-- More of the foods we should encourage.
-- Less of the foods we should avoid.
-- Targeted beverage standards allowing variation by age group.
-- Flexibility for important traditions.
-- Ample time for implementation.

What do the new “Smart Snacks in School” nutrition standards do?

The new standards will allow schools to offer healthier snack foods for our children, while

limiting junk food served to students. Students will still be able to buy snacks that meet common-sense standards for fat, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium, while promoting products

that have whole grains, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables or protein foods as their main ingredients.