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Competitive foods are foods and beverages available for sale to students on school premises, separately from reimbursable meals and Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) snacks served through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs). Under Section 10-215b-1 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, competitive foods also include candy, coffee, tea, and soft drinks that are given to students on school premises from 30 minutes before up through 30 minutes after the operation of any CNPs. 

• Sales  means the exchange of a determined amount of money or its equivalent (such as tickets, coupons, tokens, and similar items) for foods and beverages. Sales also include programs and activities that charge a fee that includes the cost of foods and beverages provided to students, and activities that suggest a student donation in exchange for foods and beverages. Under Connecticut’s statutes and regulations for competitive foods, sales also include tickets and similar items that are given to students (such as food rewards) and can be exchanged for foods and beverages. 
• School premises include all areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the local or regional board of education, the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), and the governing authority district or school. 

Federal and state laws require that competitive foods available for sale to students on school premises must comply with nutrition standards, restrictions for selling and giving certain foods and beverages to students, and the accrual of income from selling foods and beverages to students
 

Summary of Requirements for Competitive Foods

The federal and state laws for competitive foods apply differently to public schools, private schools, and residential child care institutions (RCCIs). Some laws apply during the school day, while others apply at all times or during the operation of CNPs. When the federal and state laws supersede each other, the stricter requirements apply. The resources below describe each law and when it applies.

• Overview of Federal and State Laws for Competitive Foods in Connecticut Public Schools, Private Schools, and Residential Child Care Institutions
• HFC Public Schools: Summary Chart: Federal and State Requirements for Competitive Foods in HFC Public Schools
• Non-HFC Public Schools: Summary Chart: Federal and State Requirements for Competitive Foods in Non-HFC Public Schools
• Private Schools and RCCIs: Summary Chart: Federal and State Requirements for Competitive Foods in Private Schools and RCCIs

Additional guidance and resources are available in the applicable section for each type of school in the left navigation bar.