Category |
Procedures |
Rationale |
EXAMPLES: Acceptable/Unacceptable Products/Practices |
Recommendation /Notes |
General guidelines for competitive food & beverage sales |
All food that is sold, provided and consumed during the school day (defined as midnight to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day) must meet the nutrition standards.
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Students should have the opportunity to make healthy food choices at school. The school environment should model healthy food choices. |
Acceptable: All food sold during the school day on school campus meets the competitive food & beverage standards. This includes student stores, vending machines, the classroom and fundraisers. |
See the General Standard for Competitive Food re: specific guidelines on foods. |
Competitive foods covers all foods and beverages. Competitive foods are defined by USDA as any food in competition with school meals. |
All competitive food items must: Meet the nutrient standards Be a grain product containing 50% or more whole grains by weight or have whole grains as the first ingredient Have as the 1st ingredient one of the non-grain main food groups (fruit, vegetables, dairy or protein foods) Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup fruit and/or vegetable |
Students should have the opportunity to make healthy food choices at school. The school environment should model healthy food choices. |
Acceptable: Whole grain pretzels, whole grain crackers or cookies |
Grain items must be 50% or more whole grains by weight or have whole grains as the first ingredient.
Sugar-free gum is exempt. |
Calories (NEW) Snack items and side dishes sold a la carte must be ≤ 200 calories per item as served, including any added accompaniments
Entrée items served a la carte must be ≤ 350 calories per item served including any added accompaniments. |
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Entrée items served as an NSLP or SBP entrée are exempt on the day or day after service in the program meal.
*Accompaniments include salad dressings and condiments. |
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Total Fat: |
High-fat foods add unnecessary calories to the diet. |
Acceptable: Baked potato chips, pretzels, some popcorn, reduced-fat/whole grain commercial cookies |
Products consisting of only dried fruit with nuts and/or seeds with no added nutritive sweeteners or fats are exempt from the total fat standard. |
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Saturated Fat: Trans Fat: |
Foods that are high in saturated fat increase the risk of coronary artery disease. |
Products consisting of only dried fruit with nuts and/or seeds with no added nutritive sweeteners or fats are exempt from the total fat standard.
Reduced fat cheese is exempt from the saturated fat standard.
Combination products are not exempt and must meet all the nutrient standards. |
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Sodium Less than 230 mg sodium per item served. Effective 7/1/16, snack and side dish items sold a la carte must be ≤ 200 mg sodium per item as served.
Entrée items sold a la carte must be ≤ 480 mg sodium per item as served, including any added accompaniments. |
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Acceptable: Lower sodium soups |
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Added Sugar:
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Foods that are high in sugar add unnecessary calories to the diet and promote development of dental caries and displace key nutrients. |
Acceptable: Some granola bars, animal crackers, graham crackers, some gelatin desserts, some frozen fruit bars Not acceptable: Some cookies, candies, and granola bars |
Dried whole or pieces of fruits or vegetables with no added nutritive sweeteners are exempt from the sugar standard.
Dried whole or pieces of fruit with nutritive sweeteners that are required for processing and/or palatability (cranberries, tart cherries, blueberries) are exempt from the sugar standard. |
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Beverages |
100% juice |
Fruits & vegetables provide important nutrients, but intake should be limited because fruit juice is high in sugar |
Acceptable: 100% vegetable juice, 100% fruit juice, Carbonated juice, no added sweeteners |
Elementary size limits: -Water – no limit -Milk ≤ 8 oz -Juice ≤ 8 oz Middle school size limits: -Water – no limit -Milk ≤ 12 oz -Juice ≤ 12 oz High school size limits: -Water – no limit -Milk ≤ 12 oz -Juice ≤ 12 oz |
Water |
Water is important for proper hydration. |
Acceptable: Bottled water, carbonated water, unsweetened water |
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Milk |
Milk provides important nutrients such as protein, calcium and Vitamin D. |
Acceptable: Fat free milk (flavored and unflavored), 1% unflavored (12 oz) |
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Electrolyte and Sport Drinks |
Bottled Sport drinks may be needed for athletes but can also be high in sugar |
Acceptable: Low calorie Gatorade or Powerade up to 12 oz or sugar free beverages up to 20 oz.
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Specialty Drinks (i.e. Italian soda, Hot chocolate, Chai tea, Smoothie, Packet tea, Iced tea, Coffee, Mocha, Latte, Americano) Add-ins must meet sugar and milk standards. |
Espresso stands can provide students with marketing skills, but too much sugar, fat, and caffeine is not recommended for good health. |
Acceptable: Sugar-free flavor & fat-free half-and-half, unsweetened iced tea, smoothies that meet sugar & juice guidelines. |
Elementary and Middle Schools: Food and beverages must be caffeine-free with the exception of trace amounts of naturally occurring caffeine substances. |
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Beverages Eliminated |
Soft drinks |
Eliminates beverages with little nutritional value that replace more healthful alternatives |
Not acceptable: Pop, diet Pop |
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Bottled Energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages |
Not acceptable: Frappucinos, energy drinks |
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Food in the classroom |
Occasional class parties and celebrations are encouraged to follow the competitive food and beverage guidelines. |
Food in the classroom adds to the daily calorie intake for children, and displace healthier foods. . |
Encourage: Parents bring birthday snacks or prizes on the same day once/month or use non-food rewards. |
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Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: 05.14
Classification: Essential