2014-04-11, 02:37 PM
Quote:INDIANAPOLIS School leaders are getting ready for a big change in school food service.
The USDAs Smart Snacks in School rules go into effect July 1, 2014. In short, all junk food in vending machines, a la carte lunch, student stores and fundraisers such as bake sales will be banned July 1.
I think thats great! said Betsy Hunsucker, a Brownsburg mother. I think kids would love fruits and vegetables.
Fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein-rich foods and whole grain-rich foods are allowed.
Water, milk and 100 percent fruit and vegetable juice is permitted. High school students can have caffeine and low-calorie carbonated drinks.
There are also rules when it comes to nutritional values like calories, sodium, sugar and fat.
Im afraid that parents have spoiled their children so much with the choices that they allow them to make at home that the kids will turn up their noses to the nutrition, said Hunsucker.
Some schools, like Brownsburg, have already started. They have been compliant with grades K-5 since Christmas break, and have been slowly introducing older students to items like baked chips.
Katie Sherven, the director of food services for Brownsburg Schools, says theyre really excited about their plans to put a garden bar in all of their schools next year.
As for the possible impact on fundraising, Sherven says fortunately for them, many of their fundraisers do not revolve around food, like the Fun Run and Dog Jog.
She said shes met with all Brownsburg principals about the guidelines for vending machines and any food-related sales.
Schools that dont comply face hefty fines or loss of federal funding.
Not all parents think its a great idea.
I like the way its done now because they have fast food one day a week, said Vicki Masters. They are in Plainfield and they have a lot of choice. They have things that they actually will eat so they do get food in them to go through their day. There are things they just wont eat. Theyd rather not eat than eat something they dont like.
The USDA guide on the rules is 54 pages long, but these are the basics:
Ingredient Rules
Any competitive food sold must be a:
a. Fruit
b. Vegetable
c. Dairy product
d. Protein-rich food (meat, beans, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds)
e. Whole-grain rich food (first ingredient is a whole grain or product is 50% whole grains
by weight)
f. Combo food that has at least ¼ cup fruit and/or vegetable
* Exception until July 1, 2016 A food is allowed if it contains a minimum of 10% of
the Daily Value of calcium, potassium, Vitamin D or fiber
Nutrient Standards
All competitive foods must meet each of the following nutrient limits:
a. Calories
Max 200 calories for snacks and sides
Max 350 calories for entrees (outside the school lunch program)
b. Sugar
Max 35% sugar by weight (some fruit exceptions)
c. Sodium
Max 230mg sodium for snacks (200mg after July 1, 2016)
d. Fat
Fat: Max 35% calories from fat (as packaged or served; some exceptions
for reduced fat cheese and nuts apply)
Sat fat: Max 10% calories from fat (as packaged or served; some exceptions
for reduced fat cheese and nuts apply)
Trans fat 0g as served
Beverage Rules
All grade levels may sell:
a. Water or carbonated water; unflavored low-fat milk; flavored or unflavored fat-free
milk and soy alternatives; and 100% fruit or vegetable juice. Size limits: 8 oz for
elementary schools & 12 oz for middle and high schools.
b. High schools may also sell lower calorie flavored and/or carbonated beverages
that meet the following rules:
a. 5 calories per 8 fl oz, or 10 calories per 20 fl oz; and
b. 40 calories per 8 fl oz, or 60 calories per 12 fl oz.
c. Note: caffeine only permitted in high schools
If students have access to the teachers lounge, the same rules apply in the teachers lounge.
State agencies will monitor compliance.
You can find more information here and here.
http://fox59.com/2014/04/10/hello-fruits...z2yZgyYKmO