Final Rules Announced for Smart School Snacks

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New Wellness Policy guidelines and Smart Snack rules from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have officially been announced, ensuring that more students will have access to healthier foods in schools.

The rules require schools to promote healthy eating habits and  require that food marketed in schools must meet Smart Snacks nutrition standards.

For snacks in schools to meet this requirement they must offer healthier vending machines, school stores, and a la carte cafeteria lines. These food environments must offer fresh fruits, water, and vegetables, and are allowed to offer other snack products but they all must be free from candy or sodas.

These new rules will continue to build a culture of health ensuring healthier food is available in schools and impacting not only the school cafeterias but the schools fundraising efforts, and campuswide facilities.

There are still gaps in healthier school foods for Latino kids, where current research indicates that many schools are still less likely to offer fruit and salads regularly.

Ensuring that more schools comply with the new rules and more communities get involved with schools at the local level is required for ensuring healthy meals and snacks are offered to all kids in all schools.

To learn more about this change, click here.

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