Healthy Snack Guidelines

  • SPS is committed to creating and modeling a healthy school environment.

    Guidelines for Parties, Incentives & Snacks

    The USDA Smart Snacks rule requires all snacks sold and served in schools to comply with basic nutrition rules. School Board procedure 6700 ensures we comply with this rule and provide a healthy learning environment for our students.

    SPS staff aim to promote healthy behavior by celebrating and rewarding students without sweet treats. Food in schools raises many concerns: obesity issues, life-threatening food allergies, other health/medical limitations (diabetes, braces, dental cavities, ADHD), religious food preferences, equity for students of all income levels, choking hazards, sanitation/pest control, and parental knowledge/authorization of food intake.

    Fundraisers & Smart Snacks

    All food sold from midnight until 30 minutes after the end of the school day, including foods sold as fundraisers, must comply with the USDA Smart Snacks standards and school board procedure 6700.

    You can use the Smart Snacks product calculator to see if your snack meets the USDA Smart Snacks standards. View rules for foods that do not meet Smart Snacks guidelines here.

    Smart Snack-compliant foods are:

    • Whole grain-rich products or
    • Those in which the first ingredient is a fruit, vegetable, dairy product, or a protein food or
    • A combination food that contains at least 1/4 cup of fruit and/or vegetables

    Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements:

    • Less than 200 calories per portion/package
    • Less 200 mg. of sodium
    • Fat limits:
      • Less than 35% total fat
      • Less than 10% saturated fat
      • Zero grams of trans fat
    • Less than 35% from total sugars
    • Beverages:
      • Plain water or
      • Unflavored and flavored fat free milk (8 oz elem, 12 oz secondary) or
      • 100% fruit or vegetable juice and/or 100% juice diluted with water (8 oz elem, 12 oz secondary)

    Allergies

    • Students should not share food items. Sharing exposes students to unknown allergens and food related concerns.
    • Store bought foods are recommended when the food will be shared with students during the school day. Store bought foods reduce the risk of food sanitation issues and also reduce allergy related risks.
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