O.A. PetersonElementary

FOODS OF MINIMAL NUTRITIONAL VALUE (FMNV)

Fried Potato Products  (French fries, hash browns, etc.)

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

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.