Smart Snacks
Any food or beverage sold to students on the school campus during the school day must meet federal Smart Snacks standards. This includes food or beverages sold in a la carte sales, vending machines, school stores, snack carts, and fundraisers. Any entity selling food to students is required to maintain records, such as nutrition labels and product specifications.
School campus: All areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students.
School day: Midnight before until 30 minutes after the end of the official school day.
The rule DOES NOT apply to:
- Foods sold after school hours
- Foods sold off school campus
- Foods sold exclusively to adults
- Foods given to students at no charge
- Foods brought from home for student consumption
Fundraisers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines a fundraiser as an event or activity during which students exchange currency/tokens/tickets, etc., for the sale/purchase of a product in support of the school or school-related activities. The Smart Snacks regulations apply only to products intended to be consumed during the school day.
Examples:
- Giving away food but suggesting a donation
- Vending machine when the profits are used to support a school-sponsored club or activity such as the school band or football team
- Special treats sold during lunch hour by a student organization
- Bake sales offered to students
- Pizza sold in the classroom
Fundraiser Exemptions
The Georgia Department of Education’s Board approved 30 exempted fundraisers per school per school year not to exceed 3 days in length. However, there are time and place restrictions. Exempted fundraisers cannot operate anywhere on the school campus 30 minutes prior until 30 minutes after the end of breakfast and lunch meal services. Exempted fundraisers cannot be in vending machines, school stores, snack bars or a la carte sales. Fundraisers occurring in these venues must meet the Smart Snacks standards.
The Bottom Line
- If a food or beverage meets the Smart Snacks Guidelines, it can be sold anywhere, anytime on the school campus.
- If a food or beverage does not meet the Smart Snacks Guidelines, then it must be replaced with a compliant product, sold off school grounds, sold 30 minutes after the end of the official school day or be part of an approved exempted fundraiser.
Tools and Resources:
USDA/Georgia Guidance: