- Rose Tree Media School District
- Wellness Resources
- Smart Snacking
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The RTM Food Service Department is focused on the health of our school environment. Our district has established nutrition standards for all snacks sold in school by any entity, including parent/student organizations, teachers, boosters, fundraisers or the food served by the food services department. These standards for snack sales are in effect from any time before school through 1/2 hour after school, in accordance with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the USDA and our district Wellness Policy. Non-compliant foods may be sold from 1/2 hour after school through the end of the day. These standards carefully balance science-based nutrition guidelines with practical and flexible solutions to promote healthier eating throughout the district.
Snacking Tips for Parents:
- Plan ahead and buy healthy snacks when you shop. You will save money and make healthier choices than if you or your students are buying snacks on the go.
- Provide kids with choices and make those choices nutritious.
- Pre-portion your child's snacks into small bags to grab on the go.
- Combine snacks from at least two food groups to pack more nutrients into your child's diet. It will be more filling and it will hold them over to the next meal.
- Remember, space snacks far enough between meals so appetites are not spoiled!
Nutrition Standards for Foods:
Any food sold in school must:- Be "whole grain rich" grain product or
- Have the first ingredient listed as fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product or protein food; or
- Be a combination food that contains at least 1/4 cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
- Contains 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Calcium, Potassium, Vitamin D and or dietary fiber)
Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements:
Calorie limits:- Snack items ≤ 200 calories
- Entree items ≤ 350 calories
Sodium limits:
- Snack items ≤ 230 mg
- Entree items ≤ 480 mg
Fat limits:
- Total Fat: ≤ 35% of calories
- Saturated Fat: ≤ 10% of calories
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
Sugar limit:
- ≤ 35% of weight from total sugars in foods
Accompaniments:
- Accompaniments such as cream cheese, salad dressing, and butter must be included in the nutrient profile as part of the food items sold. This helps control the amount of calories, fat, sugar and sodium added to foods.
Nutrient Standards for Beverages:
All schools may sell:
- Plain water (with or without carbonation)
- Unflavored low fat milk
- Unflavored or flavored fat free milk and milk alternatives as permitted by the National School Lunch Program/School Breakfast Program
- 100% fruit or vegetable juice, and 100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water (with or without carbonation) and no added sweeteners.
Elementary schools may sell up to 8 oz portions, while middle and high schools may sell up to 12 oz portions of milk and juice. There are no portion size limitations for plain water.
High schools may sell "no calorie" or "low calorie" beverage options to students. This includes flavored water (with or without carbonation) that are ≤ 5 calories per 8 fluid ounces or ≤ 10 calories per 20 fluid ounces.
The standards do not apply during non-school hours, on weekends and at off-campus fundraising events.