Laws/Regulations
Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) for Competitive Foods in Public Schools
The C.G.S. apply to all public schools including schools that do not choose the healthy food option of HFC and schools that do not participate in the USDA school nutrition programs.
- C.G.S. Section 10-215e Opens in a new window: Nutrition standards for food that is not part of lunch or breakfast program
- C.G.S. Section 10-215f Opens in a new window: Certification that food meets nutrition standards
- C.G.S. Section 10-221p Opens in a new window: Boards to make available for purchase nutritious and low-fat foods
- C.G.S. Section 10-221q Opens in a new window: Sale of beverages
Connecticut Competitive Foods Regulations
- Overview of Connecticut's 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
Lunch Periods
- CSDE Circular Letter C-9: Federal and State Requirements for Provision and Timeframe of Daily Lunch Period for Students
- CSDE Operational Memorandum No. 03-22: Updated Requirements for Lunch Periods in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Nonprogram Foods
- USDA Memo SP 20-2016: Nonprofit School Food Service Account Nonprogram Food Revenue Requirements
- USDA Memo SP 13-2014: School Food Service Account Revenue from the Sale of Non-Program Foods
Placement of Vending Machines: ADS-BESB Right of First Refusal
C.G.S. Section 17a-818 requires that a school district must grant a permit to the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (ADS-BESB) to operate a vending machine if the school district has determined that a vending machine is desirable in the location. School districts cannot allow another organization to place a vending machine in a school building unless 1) the school district has first offered to grant a permit to ADS-BESB to operate the vending machine; and 2) ADS-BESB has declined the opportunity. This statute does not apply to vending machines that are owned and operated by the school district without outside assistance.
- C.G.S. Section 17a-818 (Formerly Section 10-303): Food service facilities and vending stands in public buildings controlled by Department of Aging and Disability Services. Permissible uses of vending machine income.
- Letter to School Food Service Directors and Business Managers from the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (ADS-BESB), March 22, 2022: The Department of Aging and Disability Services-Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind’s statutory right of first refusal to place vending machine operation in schools, State of Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services
- Joint Letter to School Food Service Directors and Business Managers from the Connecticut State Department of Education and ADS-BESB, April 4, 2022: Placement and Operation of Vending Machines in Schools Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) Section 10-303 and Section 10-215b-23 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (R.C.S.A.)
Smart Snacks
Other Laws
- Laws and Regulations for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
- Nondiscrimination Statements: USDA and CSDE (CSDE webpage)