M ay 2 01 8, I s s u e 1 23 D e p ar t m e n t N ew s April 2018 Manteca Unified School District WELLNESS POLICY NEWSLETTER Smart Snacks Top 5 FAQs By Jennifer Lew-Vang, RD, MUSD Nutrition Dietitian “Rewarding children with unhealthy foods in school undermines our efforts to teach them about good nutrition. It’s like teaching children a lesson on the importance of not smoking, and then handing out ashtrays and lighters to the kids who did the best job listening.” - Marlene Schwartz, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University Upcoming Events: Wellness Committee Meeting Wednesday, September 28, 2018 MUSD District Office For more information: Patty Page ppage@musd.net or 209-825-3200 1. What are Smart Snacks? The USDA Smart Snacks are school nutrition standards for all foods and beverages sold or available during the school day. A school day is defined as 12:00 A.M. until 30 minutes after school is over. The USDA Final Rule was finalized and by June 30, 2017, all school districts must fully comply with the requirements of the file rule. The Smart Snack standards affects classroom parties, snacks brought by parents for multiple students, and food items given as classroom rewards. The Smart Snack standards does not impact individual and personal food choices! 2. What is the purpose of Smart Snacks in Schools? According to the American Dietetic Association, children consume 50% of their daily calories at school. In 2015-2016, San Joaquin County Needs Assessment reported 21.0% of youth are obese or overweight with BMI between 25-30. Smart Snacks in Schools strives to reduce childhood obesity and obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. In other research, conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showed poor nutrition and lack of specific nutrients , such as Vitamins A, B, C, folate, iron, zinc, and calcium, are associated with lower grades and higher rates of student absences and tardiness. 3. Is there a Smart Snack list? Yes! Manteca Unified School District has an approved smart snack list on the Nutrition Education website, www.musdnutrition.net. All items listed are foods that meet the California Department of Education (CDE) Smart Snack Standards for all grade levels. The list is NOT all inclusive. All food items are subject to change and store availability may vary. 4. My item is NOT on the MUSD Smart Snack list. Is my snack a Smart Snack? A beverage or snack that lists whole grain (e.g. whole grain rolled oats), protein (e.g. nuts), dairy, fruit, or vegetable will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School Nutrition Standards. It must also meet nutrition standards for calories, sodium, sugar, and fats. To determine, use the Smart Snack Calculator. Please visit: www.musdnutrition.net, click on the “Smart Snacks in School” logo, and enter the item’s nutritional facts. 5. An item, served on the school breakfast and lunch menu, does not meet Smart Snack Standards? Why? The Smart Snack Standards are for all foods available outside of child nutrition programs. The Nutrition Education Department operates under a variety of nutrition-related programs, such as The School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, and Smart snacks. Each program has their own nutrition standards set by State and Federal legislators. In California, existing California Nutrition Standards must be combined with federal nutrition standards and local school districts must adopt the stricter standard. Comparisons of Child Nutrition Programs Child Nutrition Programs Calories (kcal) Sat. Fat (% calories) Sodium (mg) School Breakfast Program 450-500* < 10%* < 540* National School Lunch Program (Grades K-8) 600-650* < 10%* < 1,230* National School Lunch Program (Grades 9-12) 750-850* < 10%* < 1,420* Smart Snacks (Items) < 200 < 10% < 200 Smart Snacks (Entrée) < 350 < 10% < 480 *Based on weekly average requirements for a 5-day week This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Esta institución es un proveedor de igualdad de oportunidades.