Smart Snacks in School Rule

Smart Snacks in School Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) just released 'Smart Snacks in Schools' Interim Final Rule is a great opportunity for schools across the nation to adopt minimum nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold outside the school meal programs, often referred to as competitive foods and beverages as they are sold in competition with the school meal programs. A key component of the USDA rule is that states and local school districts can keep or adopt standards that are stricter than the federal standards. This is especially important in California as we don't want to lose momentum on the strides school districts have made to implement California’s standards.  In California the federal rules must be combined with existing California legislation to create what is known as the California Nutrition Standards.  In many instances, school districts have opted to go above and beyond these state and federally legislated nutrition standards.

Below are some links to key resources to keep you informed of this proposed rule.

 

To learn more about how the nutrition standards apply in California go to the link below to listen to a December 16, 2014 webinar by California Project LEAN, California Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health on these new rules.

To learn more about the Interim Final Rule and for Related Resources:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cpns/Pages/Archived%20Calendar%202014.aspx

 

Quick Reference Guide and other resources from the California Department of Education on the California Nutrition Standards, combining the state and federal requirements http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/he/compfoods.asp

 

2014 Bridging the Gap report that includes the status of school food and wellness practices click here.

 

Background Information on Competitive Foods and Beverages

How can healthier school snacks and beverages improve student health and help school budgets?

http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/issue_briefs/2013/rwjf72649

 

California Case Studies of School Districts that Adopted Stricter Competitive Food and Beverage Standards than Required

http://www.californiaprojectlean.org/doc.asp?id=168&parentid=20#Case_Studies_

 
For a CDC analysis of a state competitive food policy prior to the new rules

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/pdf/compfoodsbooklet.pdf

 

CDC's fact sheet on the financial implications of strong competitive foods standards before the new rule

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/pdf/financial_implications.pdf

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