School Nutrition:
Progress made, challenges
faced, and Messages needed
Jessica Donze Black
Kids Safe and Healthful Foods Project
www.healthyschoolfoodsnow.org
@Jdonzeblack_Pew
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Why do we care about school nutrition?
Because it influences children’s health
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Most children consume up to ½ of their calories in school.
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Serving healthier meals and snacks leads to healthier
diets.
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Children who consume school meals consume more fruits,
vegetables, whole grains and lowfat dairy than those who
do not.
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Setting healthy standards for snack and a la carte foods in
schools could significantly reduce the risk of obesity and
chronic disease.
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And Healthier Students are better learners
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Obesity is a predictor of absenteeism.
Healthy nutrition status is linked to
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better attendance
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fewer visits to the nurse
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better test scores.
student participation in subsidized federal school meals
programs—particularly school breakfast programs—is
linked to
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improved learning readiness and academic
achievement
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fewer discipline and emotional problems.
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What are talking about when we talk about school nutrition?
School Meals
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Started in 1946
Subsidized by USDA
Standards have always
been set up USDA and
updated over time to
reflect changing needs
of young people
nutrition science.
Breakfast
Lunch
“Competitive Foods”
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“Compete with meals
for kids appetites and
money.
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Vending
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School stores
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A la carte
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Fundraisers
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Everything not in a
meal
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The Big Picture
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Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (Child
Nutrition Reauthorization) passed in 2010
Directed USDA to update school meals
standards AND “snack” standards.
Institute of Medicine made
Recommendations.
USDA issued updated meal standards in
2012 and updated snack standards in
2013.
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School Meals
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More Fruits and vegetables with more
variety
Whole grains
Lower sodium
Lower fat
Calorie minimums and maximums
Started implementing 2012 school year
>90% of districts are “certified” as meeting
the standards and are receiving additional
reimbursement.
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Smart Snacks
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Standards issued in June of 2013 and implemented
starting in 2014.
Based on state policies and other models
Minimum standards
Applicable to foods sold during school day.
<200 calories, <35% calories from fat, <10%
calories from sat. fat, 0 transfat, <225 mg sodium,
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How is it going?
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90% of schools are implementing updated nutrition standards
for lunch (more fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, less
fat, less sodium, etc.)
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3 out of 4 of parents indicate support for strong nutrition
standards in schools
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70% of School Administrators like the nutrition standards and
most say that some students complained at first but most are
now pretty happy with them.
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1000’s of schools were made these changes before they were
even required and are serving as role models.
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BUT…
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Variable success with implementation
Some challenges have lead groups to push
back on having to meet nutrition standards.
Issue of Interest
Parent Support
Sodium limits
75%
Whole grains
64%
Fruits and vegetables
91%
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And Politics have Muddied the Policy Debate
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A Few Points Worth Noting
 Child nutrition has historically been a
bipartisan issue. The 2010 reauthorization
passed with unanimous consent in the Senate!
 The USDA has been setting standards since
1946 when the program was first launched.
 School lunch and breakfast are a $15 billion
program. States and localities fund <10% of
total costs.
 Those meeting updated standards get
additional reimbursement.
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So where are we now?
• Continued implementation of the
Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act
– Smart Snacks Finalization
– Wellness Policies
• Child Nutrition due for
reauthorization
• Appropriations is always in play
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What Congress Needs to Hear from You
Maintain science-based nutrition
standards for school foods.
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School nutrition departments have the flexibility they need
to serve healthy and appealing meals their kids will eat
and enjoy.
Three out of four parents support the current national
nutrition standards.
Allowing schools to opt out of these nutrition standards
would undermine parental trust in the program.
If we want to help all students succeed then we need to
support schools in being successful rather than lowering
the bar.
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How Can they Help Support Schools?
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Support school kitchen infrastructure
and equipment needs
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Ensure school food service
professionals have access to adequate
training and technical assistance
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Encourage parental and student
involvement in the process!
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What Else Can you Do?
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Support implementation locally and in your state
Ready for Wellness policy updates
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QUESTIONS?
Jessica Donze
Black
jblack@pewtrusts.org
www.healthyschoolfoodsnow.org
follow us at : @jdonzeblack_pew
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PTA’s Role with Smart Snacks in School
Stephanie Simms
School Nutrition Policy Fellow
National PTA
Policies Supporting Smart Snacks:
Fundraisers
• 27 states are not creating exemption policies
which means all fundraisers held during the
defined school day on the school campus that
involves selling foods or beverages to
students, must meet the Smart Snacks
guidelines
Source: National Association of State Boards of Education
Policies Supporting Smart Snacks:
Fundraisers
• Colorado: Up to three fundraising exemptions
per school building (duration determined by LEA)
in 2014-2015 school year.
• *However, the duration must comply with the
intent of the legislation to increase the
consumption of healthy foods during the school
day and create an environment that reinforces
the development of healthy eating habits.
Source: Pew Charitable Trusts & the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Policies Supporting Smart Snacks:
Fundraisers
• Kansas: Each school organization can hold
one exempt fundraiser per semester that
cannot exceed two days.
• *At the exemplary level:
• There are no exempt fundraisers
• Fundraising must support messaging about
physical activity, nutrition, and nutrition
education.
Source: Pew Charitable Trusts & the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Policies Supporting Smart Snacks:
Fundraisers
• Anderson, SC: As part of the Alliance for a
Healthier Generation’s Healthy School
Program this district adopted a healthy
fundraising component which required
fundraisers to be physically active or the
foods or beverages being sold must meet the
USDA Smart Snacks Standards.
Policies Supporting Smart Snacks:
Fundraisers
• Oklahoma City, OK: Measures put in place to
support healthy fundraising and by 20172018 school year if fundraisers involve foods
and beverages they must be healthpromoting and they should meet the
guidelines set forth for food and beverage
options beyond school food services.
Policies Supporting Smart Snacks:
Fundraisers
• Monterey, CA: only foods and beverages
meeting the Smart Snacks guidelines can be
sold to students during fundraisers.
• Based on their Local Wellness Policy &
resources are provided for healthy fundraisers
and calculating if an item meets the guidelines.
Policies Supporting Smart Snacks:
Food Marketing
• Nevada
• Only foods/beverages that meet Smart
Snacks is allowed for marketing on the school
campus. Applies to all advertising or
promotions including visual, oral, or written.
Source: Pew Charitable Trusts & the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
PTA’s Supporting Smart Snacks
• Greenville, SC: Students Adjust to Healthy
School Snacks (school store)
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/education/2014/10/03/greenvi
lle-county-school-students-adjust-healthy-school-snacks/16646521/
PTA’s Supporting Smart Snacks
• Kansas City, KS
PTA’s Supporting Smart Snacks
• Corpus Christi, TX
• “Wacky Wednesday”
• Foods sold prior to Smart Snacks: soda, nachos,
other unhealthy snacks
• All foods sold now meet the Smart Snacks
guidelines; fruit, granola bars, etc.
• Increased profits and “making the right choices
for the children in school”
PTA’s Supporting Smart Snacks
• Littleton, CO
• PTA Parent began a Healthy Schools
Committee last year and it now has 17
members
• This PTA has stopped all food-based
fundraisers
• Activity club, running club, indoor recess kits
for every classroom
PTA’s Supporting Smart Snacks
• Indianapolis, IN
PTA’s Supporting Smart Snacks
• Peckville, PA
• Race for Education
• The first time the race was held, they earned
double what they normally would on a candy
sale
• On a continual basis, the fundraiser is earning
the same if not more than previously held
unhealthy fundraisers
PTA’s Supporting Smart Snacks
• Throop, PA
• Craft Fair- Middle School
• Includes five fundraisers in one event and
involves the community which has been very
supportive!
• Approximately $5,000 raised compared to a
candy sale held in November which raised
$543.20.
PTA’s Supporting Smart Snacks
• Conifer, CO
• Health & Wellness Committee joined PTA
• Changes to Fall Social Dance- Smoothie Bar,
Veggie Trays, Oatmeal Bites
• Honor Roll Ceremony Gift Bags – Healthy
Foods to Fuel Your Body
• “Gratitude for your healthy attitude” baskets
Ways PTA Can Support School Nutrition
Policies
• Incorporate foods and beverages that meet
the Smart Snacks guidelines into PTA events
• Role model for students
• Identify a contact person who will ensure
compliance of Smart Snacks  school
administrator, PTA member, Health &
Wellness Committee
Ways PTA Can Support School Nutrition
Policies
• Work with the school nutrition staff to
understand how PTA can support them in
gaining acceptance of the new standards
• Cater with School Nutrition Staff for PTA events
• Highlight new foods to be served at Back to
School nights
• Open dialogue with school staff
Ways PTA Can Support School Nutrition
Policies
• Support schools in implementing the changes
to provide healthier foods and beverages to
every student
• Local Wellness Policies
• Healthy or Non-food fundraisers
Smart Snacks Resources from PTA
• Smart Snacks webpage: www.pta.org/smartsnacks
• National PTA Implementation Guide, “A PTA’s Guide to Smart
Snacks in Schools” was distributed to all state and local PTAs in
mid-October
• Tip Sheets for Healthier School Foods
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation Product Navigator &
Calculator
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation Model Wellness Policy
• Smart Snacks Information from USDA
• Slides from webinars (Overview & Healthy Fundraising)
Questions?
• If you have additional questions that were
not answered during the presentation,
please contact the School Nutrition Policy
Fellow at schoolfoods@pta.org.