Smart Snacks in Schools
Items Sold A La Carte
USDA Smart Snack compliant beverages and snacks are sold a la carte during meal periods; pricing varies depending on the item. If you would prefer to limit your students' purchases, you can contact your kitchen manager directly. They can put an alert on your students' accounts with a daily limit of your choosing. Contact your kitchen manager (Link to site managers page) directly for available products and pricing.
Since July 1, 2014, the US Department of Agriculture’s Smart Snacks in School rules have required all foods and beverages sold separate from school meals to meet new nutrition standards. Often referred to as “competitive foods,” because they are sold in competition to the complete reimbursable school meal, these items include entrees, sides, snacks or drinks sold during the school day in vending machines, snack bars and a la carte lines. The rules do not apply to food and beverages brought from home or sold during non-school hours, weekends or at off-campus events (e.g. concessions during sporting events and school plays).
Under Smart Snacks in Schools, competitive foods must:
- Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; or
- Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or
- Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
- Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber)
Food items must also meet the following nutrient requirements:
Fundraisers: States may establish exemptions for items sold at infrequent fundraisers or bake sales.
Local Flexibility: States and/or local schools have the flexibility to maintain or establish their own more stringent standards for competitive foods, if they meet the minimum federal standards.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
