Healthy Food Certification (HFC)

Overview


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Beverage Requirements  |   Competitive Foods  |   CNS  |   List of Acceptable Foods and Beverages

Healthy Food Certification (HFC) under Section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes requires that each board of education or governing authority for all public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must certify annually to the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) whether the district will follow the Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CNS) for all foods sold to students separately from reimbursable school meals. The CNS also applies to all foods offered in reimbursable snacks for the Afterschool Snack Program (ASP).

Public school districts include the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), charter schools, interdistrict magnet schools, and endowed academies. Private schools and residential child care institutions are not eligible for HFC.

In HFC districts, all sources of food sales available to students on school premises (except reimbursable meals) must comply with the CNS. Foods that do not meet the CNS cannot be sold unless the sales meet the exemption criteria of the state HFC statute. Districts that choose the healthy food option of HFC receive an additional 10 cents per lunch, based on the total number of reimbursable lunches (paid, free, and reduced) served in the prior school year. 

 

HFC Overview  |   CNS Compliance  |   List of HFC Districts  |   HFC Payment


HFC Overview

CNS Compliance

List of HFC Districts (School Year 2025-26)

HFC Payment