School Wellness

NUTRITION GUIDELINES FOR FOODS AVAILABLE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY; MARKETING PROHIBITED

Students will be offered, and schools will promote nutritious food and beverage choices during the school day that are consistent with Board Policy 4:20, Food Services (requiring compliance with the nutrition standards specified in the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s (USDA) Smart Snacks rules).

In addition, in order to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity, the Superintendent or designee shall:

1. Restrict the sale of competitive foods, as defined by the USDA, in the food service areas during meal periods;
2. Comply with all ISBE rules; and
3. Prohibit marketing during the school day of foods and beverages that do not meet the standards listed in Board Policy 4:120, Foods Services, i.e., in-school marketing of food and beverage items must meet competitive food standards.

Competitive foods standards do not apply to foods and beverages available, but not sold in school during the school day, e.g., brown bag lunches, foods for classroom parties, school celebrations and reward incentives.

Unused Food Sharing Plan

In collaboration with the district’s local health department, the Superintendent or designee will:

1. Develop and support a food sharing plan (Plan) for unused food that is focused on needy students.
2. Implement the Plan throughout the district.
3. Ensure the Plan complies with the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as well as accompanying guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the Food Donation Program.
4. Ensure that any leftover food items are properly donated to combat potential food insecurity in the district’s community. Properly means in accordance with all federal regulations and state and local health and sanitation codes.

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Monitoring

At least every 3 years, the Superintendent or designee shall provide implementation data and/or reports to the Board concerning this policy’s implementation sufficient to allow the Board to monitor and adjust the policy (a triennial report).

This triennial report must include without limitation each of the following:

• An assessment of the district’s implementation of the policy.

• The extent to which schools in the district are in compliance with the policy.

• The extent to which the policy compares to model local school wellness policies.

• A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the policy.

• How the district will make the results of the assessment available to the public.

• Where the district will retain records of the assessment.

The Board will monitor and adjust policy pursuant to Board Policy 2:240, Board Policy Development.