Smart Snacks in School

USDA’s “All Foods Sold in Schools” Standards recently published practical, science-based nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages sold to children at school during the school day. The standards, required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, will allow schools to offer healthier snack foods to children, while limiting junk food. Students across the country are now offered healthier school lunches with more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The Smart Snacks in School standards will build on those healthy advancements and ensure that students are only offered tasty and nutritious foods during the school day.

The following is an overview of the Healthy Snacks standards and what it means to Wayne-Westland’s students:

Nutrition Standards for Foods:

• Any foods sold in schools must be a “whole grain-rich” product; or
• Have as the first ingredient a fruit, vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or
• Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
• Contains 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines of Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber).
• Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements: calorie limits; snack items; less than 200 calories and entrée items less than 350 calories
• Fat limits: total fat: less than 35% of calories; saturated fat: less than 10% of calories; trans fat: zero grams
• Sugar limit: less than 35% of weight from total sugars in foods

Students will still be able to enjoy snack foods; the snacks will just be reformulated to meet the new guidelines.  For instance, cookies will still be offered; they will be whole grain and reduced fat.  Chips, popcorn and other snacks will be baked and in serving sizes that meet the nutrient requirements.  Fries will still be available at the high school level; they will be baked instead of fried, and the portion size will be in line with the caloric limits. All schools may sell plain water, low fat and flavored fat-free milk and 100% fruit or vegetable juices.   Flavored waters will be available at the high schools. These new guidelines apply to all foods sold to students during the school day; this includes school stores, culinary restaurants, fundraisers, etc.

For the breakfast program: students will be offered 1 cup of fruit or vegetable. They must take a ½ cup of fruit / vegetable with their meal.

Do you have questions or concerns?  Please feel free to call the Food Service Office at (734) 419 -2118.