The USDA released a Final Rule for Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School (Smart Snacks in Schools).  The guidelines went into effect July 1, 2014.  The law has specific nutrition standards for all foods and beverages sold to students outside the school meal programs; on the school campus; and at any time during the school day.  This includes foods and beverages sold a la carte in the cafeteria, in school stores, at snack bars, through fundraising, from vending machines or any other venues that sell food to students – including coffee shops. 

Definitions

School day - is defined as midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional school day.

Fundraisers - A fundraiser is an event/activity that currency/tokens/tickets are exchanged for the sale/purchase of a product in support of the school or schoolrelated activities. Example, giving away food but suggesting a donation would be a fundraiser. Purchasing tickets/tokens to be exchanged for food items is also a fundraiser.

Exempt Fundraisers - Fundraiser sold during the school day on the school campus that does not meet the Nutrition Standards for Smart Snacks. Length of the organization’s exempt fundraiser cannot exceed 2 consecutive days. One exempt fundraiser per school organization per semester is allowed. Exempted fundraisers may not be sold in competition with school meals.  Click Here to access KSDE's information on Smart Snacks in Schools.

School Organization - a school group approved by the local board of education.

Smart Snacks Calculator – Website used to determine if food or beverage meets the nutrient standards as defined by USDA.  Click Here to access the Smart Snacks Calculator.

Condiments – Any accompaniments added to food or beverage such as creamer, ketchup, syrups or flavorings. Condiments must be included in the nutrient profile as part of the food/beverage item served and meet all proposed standards.

Combination Foods - products that contain two or more components representing two or more of the recommended food groups: fruit, vegetable, dairy, protein or grains.

Food Standards

Food Sold to Students during the school day must meet ALL of the Nutrient Standards for:

1. Calories: Snack Item ≤ 200 Side Dishes ≤ 200 Entrée Items ≤ 350
2. Sodium: Snack Items ≤ 200 mg Entrée Items ≤ 480 mg
3. Total Fat: ≤ 35% of calories
4. Saturated Fat: < 10% of calories
5. Trans Fat: Zero grams
6. Total Sugar: ≤ 35% by weight

AND Snack/Side Dish/Entree has

• 1st ingredient is a grain (at least 50% whole grain); OR
• 1st ingredient is one of the following: fruit, vegetable, dairy product or protein food (meat, beans, poultry, etc.); OR
• A “combination food” with at least ¼ cup fruit and/or vegetable

Sugar-free chewing gum is exempt from standards.

Beverage Standards

Max Size for Grade	Elem	Mid	High
Water (Non-carbonated or carbonated	Any Size	Any Size	Any Size
Milk (Skim or 1% Unflavored, Skim Flavored	8 oz	8 oz	8 oz
100% Juice (Plain or Carbonated	8 oz	12 oz	12 oz
Soda & Energy Drinks	Do Not Allow	Do Not Allow	Do Not Allow
Drinks with Caffeine	Do Not Allow	Do Not Allow

 

Procedures For Selling Food to Students

1. Contact the school nurse with the following information.
   1. School organization
   2. Date(s) of the fundraiser
   3. Time of the fundraiser
   4. Food or beverage being sold along with nutrient and ingredient label of food items.
   5. Location of fundraiser
2. School Nurse will complete the Food/Beverage Fundraisers Tracking Tool on the shared google drive.
3. School nurse will use the Smart Snacks Calculator to determine if the food/beverage meets the nutrient standards. School nurse will save the results page from the Smarts Snacks Calculator along with a copy of the product’s label on the shared google drive.
4. Once the school nurse has determined whether a product would be allowed or exempt, they will give results to the fundraiser contact and the building principal who would give final approval or denial of the fundraiser.
5. All fundraising documentation must be available for review by KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness.  

Contact Information for Smart Snacks in Schools

• Your School Nurse
• Jill Willett
• Paula Bunde