Nutrition Policy

Child Nutrition Standards The school in general and the cafeteria specifically should reflect healthy environments. To achieve this, we have adopted the following four standards for our students:
Limit foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) – see Appendix A
Provide grade appropriate nutrition education
Provide standards for competitive foods
Provide physical education

Lower school students will not have access to FMNV, anytime, anywhere on school premises during the declared school day. For a listing of foods and beverages restricted by the FMNV policy, see Appendix A. During the declared school day, such foods and beverages may not be sold, given away to students, or used as rewards, by school administrators, staff (coaches, teachers, etc.), students or student groups, parents or parent groups, or any other person, company or organization.

During the declared school day, middle school and upper school students will not have access to FMNV and other competitive items anytime, anywhere on school premises until 30 minutes after the end of the last lunch period.

Beginning this year, school organizations shall use only non-food or healthy food items in raising funds. Foods should not be used as rewards for academic, classroom or sports performances and/or activities.

Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods
At the start of the school year, specific nutrition standards will pertain to all foods and beverages served or made available to students (except school meals, which are governed by USDA regulations).

Allowable Competitive Foods and Maximum Portion Size:
Chips (baked or no more than 7.5 grams of fat per ounce), crackers, popcorn, cereal, trail mix, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, pretzels  1.5 ounces
Cookies 1.5 ounces
Cereal bars  2.5 ounces
Frozen desserts, ice cream (no more than 10 grams of fat)  4 ounces
Yogurt  8 ounces
Whole milk, flavored or unflavored  8 ounces
Low-fat milk (2% or less), flavored or unflavored  16 ounces
Fruit Juices or blends of juices with 100% juice  12 ounces
Sweetened non-carbonated beverages (less than 15g sugar/serving)  12 ounces
Fruit snacks fortified with vitamin C        2.5 ounces
Water–non-carbonated, unflavored  Unlimited

APPENDIX A: FOODS OF MINIMAL NUTRITIONAL VALUE (FMNV)
Federal regulations prohibit the sale of certain foods, determined to be of minimal nutritional value, in the food service area during meal periods.
A. Foods and beverages that are restricted from sale to students are classified in the following four categories:
1. Soda water: Any carbonated beverage. No product shall be excluded from this definition because it contains discrete nutrients added to the food such as vitamins, minerals and protein.
2. Water ices: Any frozen, sweetened water such as “...sicles” and flavored ice with the exception of products that contain fruit or fruit juice.
3. Chewing gum: Any flavored products from natural or synthetic gums and other ingredients that form an insoluble mass for chewing.
4. Candy

Exemptions
1. School Nurses: This policy does not apply to school nurses using FMNVs or candy during the course of providing health care to individual students.
2. Accommodating Students with Special Needs: Special Needs Students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan indicates the use of an FMNV or candy for behavior modification (or other suitable need) may be given FMNV or candy items.
3. School Events: Students may be given FMNV, competitive foods or candy items during the school day for up to six different events each school year to be determined by school officials, as part of school policy and included on the school calendar. These items may not be given during meal times in the areas where school meals are being served or consumed.
4. Parent Rights: This policy does not restrict what parents may provide for their own child’s lunch or snacks. Parents may provide FMNV or candy items for their own child’s consumption, but they may not provide restricted items to other children at school. The school may adopt a more restrictive rule, however, as policy.