Smart Snacks Resource for School Clubs & Activities

USDA's Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards are in effect as of July 1, 2014.

 Clubs, student groups, boosters, and any other groups engaging in food sales must ensure that fundraising activities are compliant for local and federal rules.

 

USDA's Smart Snacks rules apply to all foods and beverages sold to students outside of the school meals programs - including vending machines, a la carte, school stores, snack carts and fundraising - and will be in effect all school day up to 30 minutes after the end of day.  Please note that the standards do not apply to events or fundraisers that take place during evening, weekend or out in the community.

In addition to meeting the Smart Snacks standards, all foods available for sale in school must meet the nutrition standards set as part of the district's local wellness policy.

To determine if your snacks are compliant, follow these steps:

 

Step 1: Determine when and where your fundraiser will take place

The following types of fundraisers are exempt and can occur without restriction:

• Non-food fundraisers
• Food fundraisers that occur 30 minutes after the end of the official school day
• Food fundraisers that occur on days when school is not in session
• Food fundraisers that occur off school property

Step 2: Know your products

Take inventory of the products your organization sells to students. Use the Beverage Inventory and Food Inventory to help you stay organized if you sell many different items.

Determine if your snack is a Smart Snack.  Take the guesswork out of nutrition guidelines with an interactive calculator for Smart Snacks.

Does your snack meet the SCASD local requirements?  Review local standards.

If your school/group has a question about whether the snack offered for sale meets the USDA guidelines for nutritional value, please contact the SCASD Food Service Department at 231-5095 or via email.

Step 3: Keep your records 

It's important to note that each group selling snacks to students is responsible to maintain their own beverage and food records.  The records will be reviewed as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Administrative Review Process of the National School Lunch Program.  

Records to be kept include receipts, nutrient fact labels, and a printout generated from the Smart Snack calculator.