Smart Snacks in Schools Healthy, Hunger-Free Update Alicia - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Smart Snacks in Schools Healthy, Hunger-Free Update Alicia Muckenhirn, RD Jenna Kiepke, MPH, RD MN Department of Education School Nutrition Programs

What is the “Healthy, Hunger - Free Kids Act?” • Legislation passed in 2010 which set policy for upgrading nutrition standards of school meals • Goals: – Address childhood obesity – Easier access to more nutritious meals – Healthier school environment to help students succeed

…And what brought about the changes? • A few things to keep in mind: – Normal reauthorization – Approximately 30% of kids are now overweight/obese – IOM released recommendations for school meals – Department of Defense warned Congress to take action – “Let’s Move!” Campaign

Just Some of the Basics… • HHFKA was passed in 2010 with bipartisan support • The focus was on: – Increasing  Fruits  Vegetables  whole grains items – Decreasing sodium – Limiting saturated fat – Addressing snack items sold in school • Provided additional 6¢ per meal

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Timeline 2010 2012 2014 2012 2014 December 13, October 1, July 1, 2014 New Lunch 2010 2012 Smart Snacks Local Wellness and Breakfast in School Policy Healthy, 6-Cent Menu Meal Pattern Proposed Rule Nutrition Hunger-Free Certification Requirements Standards Kids Act Process

Smart Snacks • Requirement of HHFKA • All foods SOLD to STUDENTS: – Outside the school meal programs – On the school campus  All areas of the property under school jurisdiction, accessible to students during the school day – During the school day  The midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day

Applicability of Smart Snacks • Smart Snacks nutrition standards took effect July 1, 2014 • The standards apply to: – A la carte sales in the cafeteria – In-school stores – Snack bars – Vending machines – Culinary Art programs – Fundraisers

“FOODS”

Step 1: General Standards 1) Whole grain-rich product; OR 2) First ingredient a fruit, vegetable, dairy product, or a protein food (meat, beans, poultry, etc.); OR 3) “Combination food” with at least ¼ cup fruit and/or vegetable ; OR 4) Contain 10% of the Daily Value of one of the following nutrients: - Calcium, potassium, vitamin D, dietary fiber - only through June 30, 2016

Step 2: Nutrient Standards • Total fat • Saturated fat • Trans fat • Sodium • Calories • Total sugar *Food items + accompaniments = total food item

“BEVERAGES”

“Beverages For All” • Plain water • Low fat plain milk • Nonfat plain or flavored milk • 100% juice

Other Beverages in High School Calorie-Free Beverages – ½ calorie per fluid ounce – Maximum serving/container size = 20 fluid ounces Lower Calorie Beverages – 5 calories per fluid ounce – Maximum serving/container = 12 fluid ounces • Examples: – Diet soda, Powerade Zero, Crystal Lite, coffee with limited accompaniments, etc.

“Is This A Smart Snack?" https://www.healthiergeneration.org/take_action/schools/snac ks_and_beverages/smart_snacks/alliance_product_calculator /

Strategies, Tools, Resources • LONG TERM GOALS: – Environmental changes  Promote student health and learning  Reflects consistent messaging within school community • STRATEGIES – Consider the overall goal – Look beyond Smart Snack guidelines – Evaluate if a specific item meets the overall goals education.state.mn.us 15

Example • Current fundraiser: – Brownie sales during lunch for dance team • Which alternative better supports our long-term goals? 1. Low-fat, Low sugar, whole grain brownies  Provides inconsistent messaging  May promote the idea that healthy food is not as tasty 2. Non-food activities: Dance-a-thon  Theme matches the team it is supporting  Provides opportunity for fun physical activity  Raises as much, if not more, money education.state.mn.us 16

Where to begin? • Know your venues – Take inventory of every place in your building where snacks and beverages are being sold  More than just the cafeteria! – School store – Snack carts – Vending machines – Teacher “treats” – Identify responsible staff/organization – Educate about new Smart Snacks regulations  What are the regulations?  Record keeping requirements education.state.mn.us 17

Where to begin? • Know your products – Take inventory of food items. – Which products need to be replaced? – Utilize the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s calculator: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/take_action/scho ols/snacks_and_beverages/smart_snacks/alliance_pro duct_calculator/ education.state.mn.us 18

Where to begin? • Make a plan for record-keeping and ensuring compliance – Retain nutrition labels – Infrequent fundraiser monitoring  School-level  District-level education.state.mn.us 19

Keep it Positive! • Merchandising, Marketing, Presentation!! – Emphasize new items – Encourage staff to get on board! education.state.mn.us 20

Keep it Positive! • Promote, Promote, Promote! – Post a blurb on your website – Morning announcements – Harness the power of social media! education.state.mn.us 21

Keep it Positive! • Engage students – Ownership of changes – Student involvement  Create “Smart Snack Ambassadors” or a “Culinary Council”  Taste test new products  Host focus groups with students  Student-created videos and marketing campaigns education.state.mn.us 22

Keep it Positive! Example of engaging students: • Local metro school – Petitioned and boycotted when cookie price increased by $0.25. – School nervous for changing recipe to meet new nutritional standards – Student business group utilized  Taste tested and chose new product  Created marketing campaign – Sales didn’t decrease after change was made! education.state.mn.us 23

Resources and Tools • USDA Healthier School Day Toolkit – H ealthy fundraising alternatives – School success stories – Lesson plans to enforce nutrition messaging – http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools- schools-smart-snacks education.state.mn.us 24

education.state.mn.us 25

Resources and Tools • Alliance for a Healthier Generation – Smart Snack Calculator – Product Navigator - an online catalog that features food and beverage products that meet Smart Snacks – Tips and tricks from schools across the nation – https://www.healthiergeneration.org/take_action/scho ols/snacks_and_beverages/smart_snacks/ education.state.mn.us 26

education.state.mn.us 27

Resources and Tools • Minnesota Department of Education – Suggested products – Product “decision tree” – Administrator guidance – Fundraiser exemption application – http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/FNS/SNP/05 5550 – Phones answered daily:  651-582-8526  800- 366-8922 (toll-free) education.state.mn.us 28

education.state.mn.us 29

Questions or Comments? Alicia.Muckenhirn@state.mn.us Jenna.kiepke@state.mn.us 30