Competitive Foods in Schools--Documents

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Competitive Foods in Schools

Documents/Forms

Connecticut public schools, private schools, and residential child care institutions (RCCIs) that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) must comply with the USDA's Smart Snacks nutrition standards. Connecticut public schools that choose the healthy food option of Healthy Food Certification (HFC) under Section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) must also comply with the Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CNS). All Connecticut public schools (HFC and non-HFC) must comply with the state beverage statute (C.G.S. Section 10-221q) and the state statute for nutritious low-fat foods (C.G.S. Section 10-221p). For information on the differences between the federal and state nutrition standards for competitive foods, refer to the CSDE’s Comparison Chart of the Connecticut Nutrition Standards and the USDA Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards.

The resources below provide information and guidance on the state and federal requirements for competitive foods in Connecticut public schools, private schools, and RCCIs.

Overview of Requirements: Guides and Summaries

These documents describe the federal and state laws for selling and giving competitive foods to students in Connecticut schools and institutions, and provide guidance on how these requirements apply to different sources of foods and beverages.

HFC Public Schools | Non-HFC Public Schools | Private Schools and RCCIs

Beverages (C.G.S. Section 10-221q)

The state beverage statute (C.G.S. Section 10-221q) applies to all Connecticut public schools, even if they do not choose the healthy food option of Healthy Food Certification (HFC) under C.G.S. Section 10-215f, or do not participate in the USDA's school nutrition programs. Public schools that participate in the USDA's school nutrition programs must also comply with the stricter provisions of the Smart Snacks beverage standards. Private schools and RCCIs that participate in the USDA's school nutrition programs must comply with the Smart Snacks beverage standards.

Allowable Beverages in Connecticut Public Schools (CSDE)
Beverage Requirements (CSDE webpage)
Beverage requirements for private schools and RCCIs: Summary of USDA Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards
Summary Chart: Federal and State Laws for Beverages in Connecticut Public Schools, Private Schools, and Residential Child Care Institutions (CSDE)

Connecticut Competitive Foods Regulations
(Sections 10-215b-1 and 10-215b-23 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies)

The state competitive foods regulations apply to all public schools, private schools, and RCCIs that participate in the USDA's Child Nutrition Programs.

CSDE Operational Memorandum No. 1-18: Accrual of Income from Sales of Competitive Foods in Schools
Overview of Connecticut Competitive Foods Regulations (CSDE)
Section 10-215b-1 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies: Competitive foods
Section 10-215b-23 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies: Accrual of income

Connecticut Nutrition Standards

The CNS applies to Connecticut public schools that participate in the NSLP and choose the healthy food option of HFC under C.G.S. Section 10-215f. Participating districts for the current school year are indicated on the CSDE's list of HFC districts.

Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CSDE webpage)
Guidance on Evaluating Recipes for Compliance with the CNS (CSDE)
Healthy Food Certification (CSDE webpage)
How to Evaluate Foods Made from Scratch for Compliance with the CNS (CSDE)
How to Evaluate Purchased Food Products for Compliance with the CNS (CSDE)
List of Acceptable Foods and Beverages (CSDE webpage)
Summary of Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CSDE)

Nutritious Low-fat Foods (C.G.S. 10-221p)

The state statute for nutritious low-fat foods (C.G.S. 10-221p) applies to all Connecticut public schools, even if they do not choose the healthy food option of HFC under C.G.S. Section 10-215f, or do not participate in the USDA's school nutrition programs.

C.G.S. Section 10-221p: Boards to make available for purchase nutritious and low-fat foods
Section 4 of the CSDE's Questions and Answers on Connecticut Statutes for School Foods and Beverages

Revenue from Nonprogram Foods (7 CFR 210.14 (f))

The USDA's regulation for revenue from non-program foods (7 CFR 210.14 (f)) applies to all public schools, private schools, and RCCIs that participate in the CNPs.

NSLP Regulations 7 CFR 210.14 (f): Revenue from nonprogram foods
USDA Memo SP 13-2014: School Food Service Account Revenue from the Sale of Nonprogram Foods
USDA Memo SP 20-2016: Nonprofit School Food Service Account Nonprogram Food Revenue Requirements

School Wellness Policy

The USDA's school wellness policy requirements apply to all public schools, private schools, and RCCIs that participate in the NSLP or SBP. Among other requirements, the school wellness policy must include nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages that are sold or given to students on school premises during the school day.

Final Rule 81 FR 50151: Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the HHFKA of 2010 (USDA)
Resource List for Wellness Policies in Schools and Child Care (CSDE)
School Wellness Policies (CSDE webpage)

Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards

The USDA's Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards apply to all public schools, private schools, and RCCIs that participate in the NSLP or SBP. For HFC public schools, Smart Snacks applies only to beverages because the CNS are stricter and supersede the Smart Snacks standards for foods.

Comparison of the Connecticut Nutrition Standards and the USDA's Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards (CSDE)
Q&A on Smart Snacks (USDA and CSDE)
Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards (CSDE webpage)
Summary of USDA Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards (CSDE)

For more resources on competitive foods, refer to the CSDE's Resources for Meeting the Federal and State Requirements for Competitive Foods in Schools.