There have been changes in the a la carte program that have been enacted due to the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act in the 2015-2016 school year called Smart Snacks. While Smart Snacks does not regulate how many items students purchase, they do regulate options of food and drinks sold.
- Food - Food is regulated by ingredients, sodium, fat, sugar and calorie content. It is run through a calculator to see if it is “Smart Snack” compliant. As we complete the calculators, they can be available upon request.
- Drinks - Drinks are where we are seeing our biggest changes. Drinks are being regulated by grade level.
- Elementary Schools may sell:
- Plain water
- 8 oz. portions of unflavored low fat milk
- 8 oz. portions of unflavored & flavored fat free milk
- 8 oz. portions of 100% vegetable and fruit juices.
- Middle Schools may sell (7 th & 8 th Grade):
- Plain water
- 12 oz. portions of unflavored low fat milk
- 12 oz. portions of unflavored & flavored fat free milk
- 12 oz. portions of 100% vegetable and fruit juices.
- High Schools may sell (9 th -12 th Grade):
- Plain water
- 12 oz. portions of unflavored low fat milk
- 12 oz. portions of unflavored & flavored fat free milk
- 12 oz. portions of 100% vegetable and fruit juices.
- High Schools may also offer “no calorie” and “lower calorie” beverage options such as calorie free, flavored water, other flavored and/or carbonated beverages in no more than 20 oz portions that are labeled to contain less than 5 calories/8 oz or 10 calories/20 oz. They may also sell beverages in no more than 12 oz portions of 40 calories/8 oz and no more than 60 calories/12 fluid oz.
For more Smart Snack information please visit or view the following:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/allfoods_flyer.pdf
