FOODS OF MINIMAL NUTRITIONAL VALUE (FMNV)
Candy
(including candy bars and packaged candies not included as FMNVs)
Competitive Foods (any food and beverages that are not provided by the school food service)
Fried Potato Products (French fries, hash browns, etc.)
Carbonated Beverages
The
school may not provide FMNVs to students at any time during the school
day.** The school may not provide candy to students at any time during
the school day.*** The school may not allow competitive foods at any
time during the school day.***
(See exemptions below)
Servings cannot exceed 3 oz., may only be served once a week and may only be purchased one serving at a time.
The school may not provide access to carbonated beverages during the school day.
This policy does not restrict
the types of food that parents provide for their own childs consumption
at school. However, schools may adopt more restrictive rules as a local
policy.
** Certain exemptions are
allowed for school nurses, students with special needs and up to three
schoolwide events pre-approved by school officials.
*** Certain exemptions are
allowed for students with special needs and up to three schoolwide
events pre-approved by school officials.
Elementary classrooms may
serve one nutritious snack per day in the morning or afternoon (not
during lunchtime) under the teachers guidance. The classroom snack may
be provided by the school food service, the teacher, parents or other
groups and should be at no cost to students. At a teachers option,
parents may choose to use this snack time to provide healthy treats for
birthdays andother celebrations. For nutritious snack ideas, see TDAs
listing of Suggestions for Nutritious Snacks, available on request and
at www.squaremeals.org parents
may provide one additional nutritious snack per day for students taking
the TAKS tests. For healthy snack ideas, see TDAs listing of
Suggestions for Nutritious Snacks, available on request and at
www.squaremeals.org. School-approved field trips are exempt from the
nutrition policy.
The nutrition policy does not
apply to students who leave campus to travel to athletic, UIL, band or
other competitions. The school day is considered to have ended for these
students. School activities, athletic functions, etc. that occur after
the normal school day are not covered by this policy.schools are defined
This information was compiled in June 2004. For the most current policy
updates, go to www.squaremeals.org
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What exactly is a competitive food? A
competitive food is any food or beverage sold or made available to
students that is not provided by the school cafeteria. This includes
items sold in vending machines, in school stores or through school
fundraisers conducted by parents, administrators or other groups and
organizations. Outside food and beverages provided for events such as
pizza parties, etc., are also considered competitive. For elementary
schools, competitive foods are not allowed at any time during the school
day with the exception of the approved nutritious snack that can be
provided at a teacher's option in the morning or afternoon.
How is a school day defined? The
school day is defined as beginning with the start of the first
breakfast period until the end of the last instruction period of the day
(last bell). School activities, athletic functions, etc. that occur
after the normal school day are not covered by this policy. If a school
operates the federally-funded After School Snack Program, the policy
will be in effect until this concludes for the day.
Which school-level policy should K-12 schools follow? K-12 schools may follow the policy requirements designated for middle school and junior high schools.
Does this policy prohibit school teachers from using food as an instructional tool in the classroom? School teachers may use food for instructional purposes as long as the food items are not considered FMNVs or candy.
Do these nutrition standards apply to fundraising? No
food fundraising will be allowed on an elementary school campus during
the school day. TDA has developed a list of ideas for non-food
fundraising available at www.squaremeals.org. Go to the For Schools
link.
For more FAQs, go
to www.squaremeals.org and click on the link to TDAs "Food and Nutrition
Division. For answers to additional questions, e-mail TDA at
healthykids@agr.state.tx.us.
SODA WATER Includes any carbonated beverage, including those with added nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and protein.
WATER ICES Includes
any frozen,sweetened water such as popsicles and other sicles and
flavored ice with the exception of products that contain fruit or fruit
juice.
CHEWING GUM Includes
any flavored products made from natural or synthetic gums and other
ingredients that form an insoluble mass for chewing.
CERTAIN CANDIES Includes
any processed foods made predominantly from sweeteners or artificial
sweeteners, including hard candy, jellies and gums, marshmallow candies,
fondant, licorice, spun candy and candy-coated popcorn.