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Rockwood School District

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Smart Snacks in Schools

Containers of healthy snacks laid out for students

The USDA has published practical, science-based nutrition standards for all foods and beverages sold to students during the school day. These nutrition standards are called Smart Snacks in School and include the time before school begins and 30 minutes after the school day ends. The standards provide guidelines to make healthier foods and beverages available to students.

Healthy, well-nourished students are better learners! Students who consume healthier foods and beverages are more likely to get the nutrients they need to learn, play and grow. Having healthier foods and beverages available contributes to the overall health and well-being of youth.

Students will be able to buy snacks that meet common-sense standards for fat, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium - while promoting products that have whole grains, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables or protein foods as their main ingredients. These standards include:

  1. Be a whole grain rich product; or
  2. Have as the first ingredient a fruit, vegetable, dairy product or protein food; or
  3. Be a "combination food" with at least 1/4 cup fruit and/or vegetable; or
  4. The food item must meet the nutrient standards for calories, sodium, sugar, and fats.

Smart Snacks will apply all foods and beverages sold to students outside of the school meals programs, including vending machines, a la carte, school stores, snack carts and in-school fundraising. Smart Snacks will be in effect all school day, including before school and 30 minutes after the end of the school day - across the whole school campus. Smart Snacks will not apply to foods being sent from home, such as a bagged lunch. In addition, the standards do apply to classroom celebrations and do not apply during evening, weekend or community events.

In addition, our school administrators will be able to help our school volunteers with the implementation of these USDA standards at our schools. For more information, contact Rockwood Child Nutrition at 636-733-3250.

Smart Snacks Foods List

USDA’s Smart Snacks in school standards are practical, science-based nutrition standards for all foods and beverages sold or served to students during the school day. The new rule went into effect July 1, 2014.

This list is not all inclusive. Alternative items may be available at different stores. Manufactures’ ingredients and distribution change frequently. To find out if a food or beverage not on the list meets the standards, visit the online Smart Snacks Product Calculator. If you wish to bring in an item not on the list, please input the nutritional information into the calculator at the above link and print the sheet showing its approval. The item will then be added to the approved snack list.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
  2. fax: (202) 690-7442
  3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.