School nutrition standards to become effective July 1

Federal school nutrition standards adopted in 2010 will become effective on July 1. The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA) requires that all foods sold on a school campus outside of the school meal program must meet the Smart Snacks nutrition standards set forth in the interim final rule titled “National School Lunch Program (NLSP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP): Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as required by the HHFKA of 2010.”

The nutrition standards included in the interim final rule apply to all foods sold to students on the school campus during the school day, including food prepared and/or sold by culinary education programs. The USDA memo providing guidance regarding the treatment of culinary education programs can be viewed here.

For more information about the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, contact Maine DOE Child Nutrition Specialist Walter Beesley at walter.beesley@maine.gov.