Dear NAMA Members,
Your FitPick SELECT® Back-to-School Tool Kit has a healthy dose of information
and ideas for you!
The new school year is around the corner. With that comes the first year with USDA’s
Smart Snacks in School regulations, making it mandatory for all vended products to
meet the new guidelines.
Inside you will find:
 Fill-in-the-Blank Press Release
 FitPick SELECT Standards
 Next Steps
 Product Compliance Resources
 Key Contacts
There’s value in communicating your commitment to nutrition to parents, administrators
and other stakeholders. The communication in this tool kit is designed to help parents
feel comfortable, knowing their kids’ school snacks fit with a balanced, healthy diet, and
make school districts aware that your company supports these initiatives and is
compliant with federal standards.
We encourage you to use the materials as presented or adapt them to fit your specific
needs based on your market and customers. With these supplies at your disposal, you
will be ready for the first day of school!
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best Regards,
Roni Moore, VP Marketing and Communications
Kelly Doherty, Marketing and Communications
Table of Contents
i.
FitPick Program Overview………..………………….…………………………..1
ii.
FitPick SELECT Standards………………………………………………………2
iii.
Appendix
 Fill-in-the-blank Press Release
 Next Steps
 Compliance Resources
 Key Contacts
FitPick Program Overview
What is FitPick® and FitPick SELECT® ?
FitPick is a healthy vending and micro market labeling program that helps operators and
consumers identify “better for you” products that meet recognized nutrition guidelines.
FitPick guidelines are easy to understand - with labels listing maximum values on
calories, fat, sugar and sodium - making it simple to see whether a product qualifies or
not.
The FitPick program offers two levels of nutrition guidelines:
 FitPick is designed for the workplace and other non-school environments.
 FitPick SELECT is for schools and environments with more stringent nutrition
requirements. It was designed to align with standards set forth by the USDA for
snacks served in schools that went into effect July 1.
The FitPick program empowers consumers to make informed snack choices and helps
ensure operators meet the latest recognized nutrition standards. FitPick and FitPick
SELECT are smart and responsible choices for any vending or micro market operation
wanting to compete in today’s health-conscious market.
FitPick SELECT Standards (Schools)
FitPick SELECT® is a FitPick® programming component specially designed to meet
stringent nutrition guidelines. It is the ideal option for operators in schools and other
locations to provide snack choices that comply with the nutrition standards established
by the USDA.
CALORIES
FAT
SATURATED
FAT
TRANS FAT
SUGAR
SODIUM
FitPick® SELECT / USDA
SMART SNACKS IN SCHOOL
200 or less
8g or less (≤35% of calories)
2g or less (<10% of calories)
0g
18g or less (≤35% of weight)
230mg or less
***In addition to the above nutrient standards, any food sold in schools must meet at least one of the
following four criteria:
1.
Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product;
2.
Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food;
3.
Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup fruit and / or vegetable;
4.
Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of a nutrient of one of the nutrients of public health
concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or
dietary fiber).
*This criteria expires on July 1, 2016.
Source: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/allfoods_flyer.pdf
Fill-in-the-Blank Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
YOUR NAME
YOUR EMAIL
YOUR PHONE
(YOUR COMPANY NAME) LAUNCHES FITPICK SELECT PROGRAM AT
(NAME OF SCHOOL(S) OR TOWN(S))
(City) August (XX), 2014 – (Your company name) announces its implementation of
FitPick SELECT®, a vending program designed to identify “better for you” snacks.
Participation in FitPick SELECT ensures that all products sold in schools comply with
the USDA’s Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
“We are committed to helping students make informed snack choices,” said (Name,
company). “With the new school year quickly approaching, we are pleased to report that
all of our machines and products are labeled and meet the FitPick SELECT standards,”
(Name) continued. “By implementing this program, students, parents and school staff
alike can be assured the products offered can be part of a balanced, healthy diet.”
Specifically, all FitPick SELECT compliant products must be 200 calories or less and
meet overall USDA Smart Snacks in School standards. The program appeals to parents
and school officials who prioritize and advocate for student health. More details can be
found here: http://www.fitpick.org/nutctr/fitpick-select/.
(Your company name), founded in (Year) provides vending service to (Number of
customers) companies in the (City/Region) area. (Add more company background.)
(Your company name) is a member of NAMA, representing the $42 billion vending and
refreshment services industry. Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing
the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry. With more than 1800
member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA
provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
###
Next Steps

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

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Make sure you have all the FitPick SELECT® materials you need: order here
Review fill-in-the-blank press release
Complete the press release
Consider including a photo with the press release
Send press release to your local media
Questions: Follow up with Roni Moore at rmoore@vending.org and Kelly Doherty
at kdoherty@vending.org
Resources
To help ensure that the products you offer are FitPick SELECT and USDA compliant,
we recommend the following resources:
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Product Navigator
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation offers an online catalog of products that meet
the USDA Smart Snacks regulations. You can find the Product Navigator here:
https://www.healthiergeneration.org/live_healthier/eat_healthier/alliance_product_navig
ator/
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Product Calculator
For items that aren’t listed in the Navigator, The Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Product Calculator allows you to input product details to determine whether or not a
particular item meets the USDA standards. You can find the Product Calculator here:
https://www.healthiergeneration.org/take_action/schools/snacks_and_beverages/smart
_snacks/alliance_product_calculator/
For more information, please visit:
www.fitpick.org
Key Contacts
NAMA/FitPick®
Roni Moore
VP, Marketing & Communications
312-346-0370 x 239
rmoore@vending.org
Kelly Doherty
Marketing & Communications
312-346-0370 x242
kdoherty@vending.org