Healthy Food Certification (HFC)

Related Resources

CSDE Training Program: Complying with Healthy Food Certification  |   HFC Resources


CSDE Training Program: Complying with Healthy Food Certification


Complying with HFC logo: Blackboard with apples

The CSDE's Complying with Healthy Food Certification training program is a series of recorded modules that provide guidance on how to meet the requirements for Healthy Food Certification (HFC) under Section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes and the related state and federal laws for competitive foods in schools.

Target audience: This training program is intended for the district’s designated HFC contact person and individuals who coordinate sales of competitive foods to students on school premises. Examples include school food service staff and coordinators of food and beverage sales such as fundraiser coordinators, school store operators, vending machine operators, teachers and other school staff, athletic directors, and leaders of student organizations and parent groups.

Knowledge check and score: After viewing each module, participants will complete a brief knowledge check that will display a score after all questions are complete. Participants should print their knowledge check score to document participation in these training modules. Maintain these documents on file with other HFC documentation for the CSDE's annual HFC documentation review.

Accessing the videos: The training module videos are housed in Qualtrics. To view the videos, click on the module, then enter the required contact information (name and title, email, school/district, city/town, and state).

Professional development training hours: School nutrition personnel in HFC public schools may use the CSDE's Complying with Healthy Food Certification training program to count toward the annual training hours required by the USDA’s Professional Standards for School Nutrition Program Professionals. For more information, refer to the CSDE’s Professional Standards Topics and Training Hours for the Complying with Healthy Food Certification Training Modules.

Module Resources

Module 1: Introduction to Training and HFC  (length: 30:02)

Introduces the training modules, provides an overview of HFC and the Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CNS), and highlights key resources for more information.

Module 2: HFC Requirements  (length: 56:32)

Reviews the HFC requirements including when the CNS applies to different sources of food sales and the exemption criteria for noncompliant foods. Includes a knowledge check about when the CNS applies to different sources of foods available in schools.

Before beginning this module, download and print the Module 2 worksheet.

Module 3: Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CNS)  (length: 1:07:57)

Reviews the Connecticut Nutrition Standards for the six food categories including the CNS general nutrition standards, nutrient standards, and prohibited ingredients. Includes knowledge checks about the CNS entree definition and the food group general standard.

Before beginning this module, download and print the Module 3 worksheets.

Module 4: Evaluating Foods for CNS Compliance  (length: 45:05)

Explains how to evaluate foods for CNS compliance, including commercial products and foods made from scratch, and identifies compliance strategies to ensure that all foods comply with the CNS.

Module 5: Laws for Foods and Beverages in HFC Schools (length: 1:06:43)

Reviews the federal and state laws that apply to foods and beverages in HFC schools, including the USDA’s Smart Snacks beverage standards, the state beverage statute, the state statute requiring nutritious and low-fat foods, and the state competitive foods regulations. Includes a knowledge check about when the laws apply.

Before beginning this module, download and print the Module 5 worksheet.

Module 6: Fundraisers  (length: 1:20:45)

Addresses the three categories of allowable fundraisers that may sell foods and beverages to students on school premises, identifies the requirements for different types of fundraisers and provides guidance on how they can comply with these requirements, describes compliance strategies that districts can use to ensure that all fundraisers meet the state and federal laws for HFC schools, and includes a knowledge check about allowable fundraisers.

Before beginning this module, download and print the Module 6 worksheet.

HFC Resources

Adult Education  |   Beverages  |   Competitive Foods
CNS  |   Culinary Programs  |   Fundraisers  |   HFC Requirements
List of Acceptable Foods and Beverages  |   School Stores  |   Vending Machines