TDA_Smart_Snacks_One-Pager.pdf
PDF 5 MB Posted
- Attached to
- Snack Vending Machine Service
- Solicitation number
- RFP #2521SM
- Issued by
- Harris County, Texas
About this file
This file is an informational one-pager from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food and Nutrition Division explaining Smart Snacks in Schools standards funded by the USDA. The document outlines guidelines for foods and beverages sold in schools during the school day, which is defined as the period from midnight before the official instructional day through 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day on school campuses. The Smart Snacks program is a collaborative effort between the USDA and the U.S. Department of Education designed to establish nutritional standards that limit calories, sugar, fat, and salt while ensuring foods and beverages offer nutritional benefits appropriate for different age and grade groups. The initiative creates flexibility for local and state oversight of all foods sold in schools.
The document specifies that Smart Snacks nutrition standards apply to competitive foods and fundraisers, with exceptions for items ordered and paid for off-campus, foods supporting nutritional needs outside the school day, and certain fundraiser activities. Schools may conduct up to six fundraiser days per school year that do not meet competitive food nutrition standards. Standards include calorie and nutrient limits for all schools, with allowances for water, low-fat or fat-free milk, and 100% fruit or vegetable juice. High schools have additional allowances for low-calorie beverages and caffeine. Documentation requirements include CN Labels, nutrition fact labels, invoices, manufacturer product formulation statements, menus, and USDA Food Fact Sheets. The document provides contact information for Education Service Center Child Nutrition Teams and references to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Smart Snacks Product Calculator for compliance verification.
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Fraud Hotline: 1-866-5-FRAUD-4 or 1-866-537-2834 | P.O. Box 12847 | Austin, TX 78711 Toll Free: (877) TEX-MEAL | For the hearing impaired: (800) 735-2989 (TTY)
Food and Nutrition Division National School Lunch Program
This product was funded by USDA.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Updated 2/4/2022 www.SquareMeals.org
Smart snacks in schools is a collaborative effort between the USDA and the US Dept of Education. This cooperative strategy extends to the school level where school food service professionals, school administrators, teachers, sports teams, clubs and parent organization work to create healthier communities. Smart Snacks supports healthy living and learning with standards for foods and beverages sold in schools during regular campus hours.
When do competitive foods regulations apply?
Food and/or beverages sold during the school day on the school campus.
• School Day: the period from the midnight before the beginning of the official instructional day to 30 minutes after the end of the official instructional day
• School Campus: all areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students during the school day
Smart Snack Objectives
• Establish guidelines that limit calories and specific nutrients in food and beverages
• Ensure food and beverages offer nutritional benefits
• Set appropriate standards for individual age/grade group
• Create flexibility for local and state oversite
(All Foods Sold in Schools) Smart Snacks in Schools
Food and Nutrition Division National School Lunch Program
This product was funded by USDA.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
EXCEPTIONS INCLUDE
• Food and/or beverages ordered and paid for off campus such a delivery services
• Supporting students’ nutritional needs outside of the school day such as a weekend backpack program
OTHER EXEMPTIONS
INCLUDE
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
NUTRITION STANDARDS
• Calories, sugar, fat and salt limit in all schools
• Water, low-fat or fat-free milk and 100% fruit or vegetable juice allowed in all schools
• Low calorie beverages allowances for high schools
• Caffeine allowances for high schools
FUNDRAISER STANDARDS
Smart snacks nutrition standards apply to all fundraiser foods and beverages except:
• Food and beverages sold outside of the school day
• Foods not intended for consumption at school
• Entrees offered as part of a reimbursable meal are exempted from standards the same day or the next operating day after being served as part of a reimbursable meal
• Fruits and vegetables
FUNDRAISERS
Schools may have up to six fundraiser (6) days per school year per campus that do not meet the competitive food nutrition standards. Food and/or beverages sold during an exempt fundraiser must not be sold in competition with school meals in the food service area during school meal service.
Concession stands must meet smart snack standards if the sale occurs during the school day.
Click here for Alliance for a Healthier Generation Smart
Snacks Product Calculator
(All Foods Sold in Schools) Smart Snacks in Schools
• Accommodating students with special needs
• Competition locations and other events are exempt if a SNP meal is not provided as part of the event
• Food and/or beverages brought form home or food given to students
Updated 2/4/2022 www.SquareMeals.org https://foodplanner.healthiergeneration.org/calculator/
Food and Nutrition Division National School Lunch Program
This product was funded by USDA.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Contact your ESC Child Nutrition Team:
https://squaremeals.org/About/EducationServiceCenters.aspx
Section 22. Competitive Foods of the Administrator’s Reference Manual:
https://squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/PolicyARM.aspx
USDA’s A Guide to Smart Snacks in Schools:
https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/guide-smart-snacks-school
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Smart Snacks Product Calculator:
https://foodplanner.healthiergeneration.org/calculator/
DOCUMENTATION FOR
COMPETITIVE FOODS
• CN Labels
• Forms or records indicating portion sizes and number of serving
• Invoices
(All Foods Sold in Schools) Smart Snacks in Schools
• Manufacturer Product Formulation Statement
• Menus Nutrition Value Calculations
• Nutrition Fact Labels
• USDA Food Fact Sheets
Updated 2/4/2022 www.SquareMeals.org https://squaremeals.org/About/EducationServiceCenters.aspx https://squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/PolicyARM.aspx https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/guide-smart-snacks-school https://foodplanner.healthiergeneration.org/calculator/
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .