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Child Nutrition & Food Service » Smart Snacks

Smart Snacks

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Smart Snacks in School standards put in place practical, evidence-based nutrition standards for snacks and beverages sold in vending machines, school stores, snack carts, a la cart lines, and in school fundraising. All CISD a la carte and snacks sold in our cafeterias meet Federal Smart Snack regulations. These regulations affect all food and beverages sold to students on campus during the school day. Smart Snacks Standards are a Federal requirement for all foods sold outside the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

A school day is defined as the period from midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. School campus refers to all areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students during the school day.

  • Be a grain product that contains 50 percent or more whole grains by weight (have whole grain
    as the first ingredient)
  • Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food
  • Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and or vegetable
  • The food must meet the nutrient standards for calories, sodium, sugar and fats
    • Calorie --> Snack items: 200 calories or less; Entrée items: 350 calories or less
    • Sodium --> Snack items: 200 mg or less; Entrée items: 480 mg or less
    • Total Fat --> Snack items: 35% of calories or less; Entrée: 35% of calories or less
    • Saturated Fat --> Snack items: less than 10% of calories; Entrée: less than 10% of calories
    • Trans Fat --> Snack items: zero grams, Entrée: zero grams
    • Sugar --> Snack items: 35% by weight or less; Entrée: 35% by weight or less
Accompaniments such as cream cheese, salad dressing and butter must be included in the nutrient profile as part of the food item sold.
 
Exemptions: Fresh, canned or frozen fruits with no added ingredients, fresh canned vegetables with no added ingredients, NSLP/SBP Entrée items when sold on day of service or day after.
All schools may sell:
  • Plain water (with or without carbonation)
  • Unflavored low-fat milk
  • Unflavored or flavored fat-free milk and milk alternatives permitted by NSLP/SBP
  • 100% fruit or vegetable juice
  • 100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water (with or without carbonation) and no added sweeteners.
Elementary schools may sell up to 8oz. portions; middle schools and high schools may sell up to 12oz. portions of milk and juice. *Caffeinated beverages are only permitted at the High School level.
 
Beyond this, the standards allow additional “no calorie” and “lower calorie” beverage options for high school students. No more than 20oz portions of calories free flavored water and no more than 12oz. beverages with less than 40 calories per 8 fluid ounces, or less than 60 calories per 12 fluid ounces.
Fundraisers/Vending Machines: The sale of food items that meet Smart Snack requirements is not limited in any way under the standards. The standards do not apply during non-school hours, weekends, and at off-campus fundraising events.
 
Exempt Fundraiser Days: Texas allows up to 6 fundraisers per campus per year, as stated in the local Wellness Policy. Exempted fundraisers may not be sold in competition with school meals in the food service area, during meal service.
      
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
     
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
 
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
 
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1)mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email:[email protected].