July 21st, 2016 - USDA Announces Additional Efforts to Make School Environments Healthier
Four Final Rules Were Introduced That Implement Important Provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA)
Important provisions of the HHFKA build on the progress Louisiana schools across the state have already made in the improved nutritional quality of meals served in schools. The Four Final Rules are in the following areas:
- Smart Snacks in School
- Aligns the nutritional quality of snacks sold to children during the school day with the science-based improvements made to school lunches and breakfasts over the last five years.
- Louisiana requires smart snack items be 150 calories or less. For more information about Louisiana Smart Snacks, visit the Louisiana Fit Kids Smart Snacks page.
- Local School Wellness Policy
- Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
- Administrative Review
Smart Snacks in School Final Rule
Local School Wellness Policy Final Rule
Empowers communities to take an active role in the health of their children. It requires schools to engage parents, students and community members in the annual development and assessment of local school wellness policies. Ensures that any food or beverage that is marketed on school campuses during the school day meets the Smart Snacks standards.
CEP allows schools and local educational agencies with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students to promote access to healthy food and reduce administrative burdens on schools and families.
Administrative Review Final Rule
Streamlines administrative processes, making it easier to participate in the meal programs.
Key Improvements to Child Nutrition Programs Implemented Under the HHFKA Include:
- Improving the nutritional quality of all food in schools to reflect recommendations from the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans;
- The rapid growth of Farm to School efforts to more than 42,000 participating schools;
- Improvement of direct certification efforts with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to increase the number of eligible children enrolled in school meal programs;
- Implementation of national professional standards for all school nutrition employees who manage and operate the school meal programs;
- Expansion of the At Risk After School Meals Program to all states.