Competitive Foods in Schools

Documents/Forms

Connecticut public schools, private schools, and residential child care institutions (RCCIs) that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) must comply with the USDA's Smart Snacks nutrition standards. Connecticut public schools that choose the healthy food option of Healthy Food Certification (HFC) under Section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) must also comply with the Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CNS). All Connecticut public schools (HFC and non-HFC) must comply with the state beverage statute (C.G.S. Section 10-221q) and the state statute for nutritious low-fat foods (C.G.S. Section 10-221p). For information on the differences between the federal and state nutrition standards for competitive foods, see the CSDE’s handout, Comparison Chart of the Connecticut Nutrition Standards and the USDA Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards.

The resources below provide information and guidance on the state and federal requirements for competitive foods in Connecticut public schools, private schools, and RCCIs.


Overview of Requirements  |   Beverages  |   Connecticut Competitive Foods Regulations
Connecticut Nutrition Standards  |   Fundraisers  |   Nutritious Low-fat Foods
Revenue from Nonprogram Foods  |   School Stores  |   School Wellness Policy
Smart Snacks  |   Vending Machines


Overview of Requirements: Guides and Summaries

These documents describe the federal and state laws for selling and giving competitive foods to students in Connecticut schools and institutions, and provide guidance on how these requirements apply to different sources of foods and beverages.

Beverages (C.G.S. Section 10-221q)

The state beverage statute (C.G.S. Section 10-221q) applies to all Connecticut public schools, even if they do not choose the healthy food option of Healthy Food Certification (HFC) under C.G.S. Section 10-215f, or do not participate in the USDA's school nutrition programs. Public schools that participate in the USDA's school nutrition programs must also comply with the stricter provisions of the Smart Snacks beverage standards. Private schools and RCCIs that participate in the USDA's school nutrition programs must comply with the Smart Snacks beverage standards.

Connecticut Competitive Foods Regulations
(Sections 10-215b-1 and 10-215b-23 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies)

The state competitive foods regulations apply to all public schools, private schools, and RCCIs that participate in the USDA's Child Nutrition Programs.

Connecticut Nutrition Standards

The CNS applies to Connecticut public schools that participate in the NSLP and choose the healthy food option of HFC under C.G.S. Section 10-215f. Participating districts for the current school year are indicated on the CSDE's list of HFC districts.

Fundraisers

Nutritious Low-fat Foods (C.G.S. 10-221p)

The state statute for nutritious low-fat foods (C.G.S. 10-221p) applies to all Connecticut public schools, even if they do not choose the healthy food option of HFC under C.G.S. Section 10-215f, or do not participate in the USDA's school nutrition programs.

Revenue from Nonprogram Foods (7 CFR 210.14 (f))

The USDA's regulation for revenue from non-program foods (7 CFR 210.14 (f)) applies to all public schools, private schools, and RCCIs that participate in the CNPs.

School Stores

School Wellness Policy

The USDA's school wellness policy requirements apply to all public schools, private schools, and RCCIs that participate in the NSLP or SBP. Among other requirements, the school wellness policy must include nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages that are sold or given to students on school premises during the school day.

Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards

The USDA's Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards apply to all public schools, private schools, and RCCIs that participate in the NSLP or SBP. For HFC public schools, Smart Snacks applies only to beverages because the CNS are stricter and supersede the Smart Snacks standards for foods.

Vending Machines


For more resources on competitive foods, review the CSDE's Resources for Meeting the Federal and State Requirements for Competitive Foods in Schools and Resource List for Competitive Foods in Schools.