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Healthy School Environment
Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value
To promote a healthy school environment, federal and state regulations prohibit the sale and student access to foods and beverages of minimal nutritional value in schools that participate in the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Program. Food and beverages may not be sold in competition with the School Lunch Program. Foods of minimal nutritional value as identified by the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) include:
- Carbonated soda water, including those made with artificial sweetener.
- Water ice.
- Chewing gum.
- Candy, including hard candy, jellies and gums, marshmallow candy, fondant, candy corn, mints, licorice, spun candy.
- Candy-coated popcorn.
The sale of all items on the list of Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value is prohibited from 12:01 a.m. until the end of the standard school day. Vending machines are to be on timers in order to limit student access.
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services recommends that all items served meet the following guidelines per serving:
- No more than 9 grams of total fat
- No more than 2 grams of saturated fat
- No more than 15 grams of sugar, excluding dried fruit with no added sugar and natural fruit sugar
Competitive Foods
Competitive foods are defined as any food or beverage sold or given to students during the scheduled lunch period outside of the school dining room area.
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