All employees of the district will support the implementation of the Wellness Policy.

Transcription

1 Business and Non-instructional Operations Food Service/Child Nutrition Program Wellness Policy The Governing Board recognizes that students need adequate, nourishing food in order to grow, learn and maintain good health. It further recognizes that significant research indicates a positive relationship between adequate nutrition and learning resulting in academic success. Food and beverages available through the district s food service program shall be carefully selected so as to contribute to students nutritional well-being and meet or exceed nutritional standards specified in law and administrative regulation. The district will, as resources are available, provide adequate resources (personnel, equipment, ongoing maintenance, technology) to implement the Wellness Policy. All employees of the district will support the implementation of the Wellness Policy. Parents/guardians will be encouraged to support the district s nutrition education efforts by considering nutritional quality when selecting any snacks, which they may donate for occasional special events. The principal/designee at each school site shall be responsible for implementation and evaluation of the policy on an annual basis. The measures to evaluate may include: but not limited to, an analysis of the nutritional content of meals served; student participation rates in school meal programs; any sales of non-nutritious foods and beverages in fundraisers or other venues outside the district s meal programs; and feedback from food service personnel, school administrators, the school health council, parents/guardians, students, and other appropriate persons. QUALITY OF FOOD The Governing Board recognizes that students need adequate, nourishing food in order to grow, learn and maintain good health. The Board desires to provide students with adequate time to eat meals. To reinforce the district s nutrition education program, the superintendent or designee shall ensure that food available on school premises shall: 1. Be carefully selected so as to contribute to student s nutritional well being and the prevention of hunger and disease. 2. Meet or exceed nutritional standards specified by the United States Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Education, School Nutrition Program for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. 3. Provide a monthly variety of health choices through offer versus serve at all sites taking into consideration various ethnic foods. 4. Be prepared in ways that will appeal to students, retain nutritive quality and foster lifelong healthy eating habits. 5. Be served in age-appropriate quantities as allowed by law. 6. Be sold at reasonable prices as required by law.

2 Parents/guardians are encouraged to support the district s nutrition education efforts by considering nutritional quality when selecting any snacks that they may donate for occasional class parties. Policy set forth herein does not apply to food brought from home for individual consumption. The Board desires to provide students with adequate time to eat meals. To the extent possible, school and transportation schedules shall be designed to encourage participation in school meal programs. The Superintendent or designee shall periodically review the adequacy of school facilities for cafeteria eating and food preparation. School cafeterias shall comply with the sanitation and safety requirements of the California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law as set forth in Health and Safety Code Professional development for food service personnel shall include nutrition education and safe food handling. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that food sales by school-related groups and the use of vending machines are in compliance with state and federal law and do not impair student participation in the district s food service program. The Board shall adopt nutrition guidelines selected by the district for all foods available on each campus during the school day, with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity. (42 USC 1751 Note) All food available to students on school premises during school hours, including food sold by the Food Service Department, through vending machines and by student sales will meet or exceed nutritional standards established by SB12. Students may be periodically involved in the tasting and marketing of healthy foods that appeal to students. Healthy food choices (fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products) should be promoted in school activities involving staff and students. STUDENT ACCESS All school campuses will ensure that each student will have access to healthy food choices offered at all school sites. The district shall attempt to ensure that all eligible children qualify for free and reduced meals. Foods and beverages provided through federally reimbursable school meal programs shall meet or exceed federal regulations and guidance issued pursuant to 42 USC 1758 (f)(1), 1766(a), and 1779(a) and (b), as they apply to schools. (42 USC 1751 Note)

3 In order to maximize the district s ability to provide nutritious meals and snacks, all district schools shall participate in available federal school nutrition programs to the extent possible, including the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, as well as afterschool snack & supper and summer programs. MAINTENANCE OF A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT All school sites will provide an environment where healthful eating behaviors are the norm and are modeled and reinforced. Adequate space in a pleasant surrounding will be provided so that students can be encouraged to eat a nutritious meal. The Superintendent or designee will ensure practices are in place to foster mutual respect between school food service personnel and students. CONTRACT All contacts between the district and outside agencies shall conform to standards required by law and shall be prepared under the direction of the Superintendent or designee. The district shall not enter into or renew a contract for the sale of foods that do not meet the nutritional standards specified on Education Code or unless the contract specifies that such sales will occur later than one-half hour after the end of the school day and/or off school premises. HEALTH EDUCATION, PHYSICAL EDUCATION The Board shall adopt policy for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness in a manner that the district determines appropriate. (42 USC 1751 Note) (EC Section 51210) The district s nutrition education and physical education programs shall be based on research, consistent with the expectations established in the state s curriculum frameworks, and designed to build the skills and knowledge that all students need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition Education should be age appropriate, following the United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans, California Department of Education State Frameworks in Health and Home Economics Careers and Technology Model Curriculum Standards. The Governing Board recognizes the positive benefits of physical activity for student health and academic achievement and encourages each student to take advantage of the various opportunities for physical activity offered by the District. Each school site will enforce existing physical education requirements and ensure students engage in healthful levels of physical activity.

4 All students in grades K-12, and in alternative educational settings, will have the opportunity, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis through physical education instruction and physical activity programs. Students will receive physical education instruction as designated (EC 51210, 51222, and 51223): A minimum of 200 minutes for every 10 days for students in grades 1-6 A minimum of 400 minutes for every 10 days for students in grades 7-12 High school students, who are exempt from two years of physical education, will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of physical education elective courses. (EC sections 51222(b) and 51241) Students will spend at least 50 percent of physical education class time participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Opportunities for moderate to vigorous physical activity shall be provided through physical education, recess, school athletic programs, extracurricular programs, before and after school programs, and other structured and unstructured activities. Nutrition and health education shall be incorporated into K-12 classroom teaching in ways that meet California Standards requirements. Teachers shall be provided with resources to integrate nutrition education into the curriculum as appropriate. Legal Reference: EDUCATION CODE Cafeteria, establishment and use Contracts for management consulting services; restrictions Pupil Nutrition, Health, and Achievement Act of School breakfast and lunch programs School meals Nutrition Child Nutrition Act Child care food program Comprehensive nutrition services Meals for needy students National School Lunch Act HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE Food sales by student organizations Mandatory meals for needy students Nutrition education School lunch and breakfast programs UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE School lunch programs Child nutrition: 1773 School breakfast program

5 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE National School Lunch Program National school Breakfast Program

6 Business and Non-instructional Operations Food Service/Child Nutrition Program Wellness Policy All food available to students on campuses during school hours must be from one or more of the following categories: 1. Milk and dairy products, including cheese, yogurt, frozen yogurt and ice cream % fruit and vegetable juices. 3. Fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits and vegetables. 4. Nuts, seeds, and nut butters. Peanuts and products containing peanuts will not be made available at any elementary school due to the potential of allergic reactions. 5. Non-confection grain products including crackers, bread sticks, tortillas, pizza, pretzels, bagels, muffins, and popcorn. 6. Any food receiving prior approval by Food Services Department. The only foods that may be sold to a student at an elementary school during the school day are full meals and individually sold portions of nuts, nut butters, seed, eggs, cheese packages for individual sale, fruit, vegetables that have not been deep fried, and legumes. An individually sold dairy or whole grain food item may be sold if it meets all of the following criteria: (Education Code 49431) 1. Not more than 35 percent of its total calories is from fat. 2. Not more than 10 percent of its total calories is from saturated fat. 3. Not more than 35 percent of its total weight is composed of sugar, including naturally occurring and added sugar. 4. Its total calories do not exceed 175 calories. Foods sold to students in middle schools, and high schools, except foods served as part of a federally reimbursable meal program, shall meet the following standards: (Education Code 49430, ) 1. Each entrée item shall: a. Not exceed 400 calories b. Contain no more than four grams of fat per 100 calories c. Be categorized as an entrée item in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast program 2. For each snack item that supplements a meal: a. Not more than 35 percent of its total calories shall be from fat, excluding nuts, nut butters, seeds, eggs, cheese packaged for individual sale, fruits, vegetables that have not been deep fried, or legumes. b. Not more than 10 percent of its calories shall be from saturated fat, excluding eggs or cheese packaged for individual sale. c. Not more than 35 percent of its total weight shall be composed of sugar, including naturally occurring and added sugar, excluding fruits or vegetables that have not been deep fried. d. Its total calories shall not exceed 250 calories.

7 A production system will be encouraged to increase the use of basic fresh foods that emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy foods which are low in fat, added sugars, and sodium. In elementary and middle schools beverages that may be sold to schools include water with no added sweetener, milk, 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices, and electrolyte replacement beverages with no more than 42 grams of added sweeteners per 20 ounce serving (middle schools only). Vending machines may be used to sell only healthy beverages. In High Schools: 1. Beverages that may only be sold to students include water with no added sweetener, milk, 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices and electrolyte replacement beverages with no more than 42 grams of added sweetener per 20-ounce serving from ½ hour before school to ½ hour after the end of the school-day. 2. Vending machines may sell healthy beverages at any time of the day. 3. Other beverages may be sold before ½ hour of the start of the school day and ½ hour after the end of the school day. OTHER FOOD SALES The Governing Board believes that foods and beverages sold to students on school campuses during the school day should promote student health and reduce childhood obesity. Such food sales should not impair the food service s ability to be financially sound (5CCR and 15501) Any food sales conducted outside the district s food services program shall meet nutritional standards specified in law, Board Policy and Administrative Regulations and shall not impair student participation in the district s food service program. Food sales that do not meet current legislation are prohibited during school hours, and within ½ hour before or ½ hour after school hours. (Education Code 49431) Sanitation and safety procedures shall comply with the requirements of the California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law as set forth in Health and Safety Code The Board authorizes the Superintendent or designee to approve the sale of foods and beverages outside the district s food service program, including sales by student or adult organizations, sales through vending machines, and/or sales at secondary school student stores for fundraising purposes. Foods shall not be sold on district school premises by outside commercial food vendors. The profits from all food sales, including vending machines that sell approved food of drinks, must benefit the school, the school food service program, or the student groups sponsoring the sales.

8 Food sales outside the district s food service program shall comply with the nutritional standards specified in Education Code Food sales outside the district s food service program shall comply with the standards described in Education Code for elementary schools and Education Code for middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools. (Education Code 38085, 49431, ) When vending machines are sponsored by the district or a student or adult organization, the Superintendent or designee shall determine how and where vending machines may be placed at school sites, district offices, or other school facilities. Food sales are prohibited during school hours, and within one hour before and after school hours, unless the organization is legally organized as a nonpartisan, charitable organization, the purpose of the solicitation is nonpartisan and charitable, and the solicitation has been approved in accordance with Board policy. (Education Code 51520) The Superintendent or designee shall encourage school organizations to use healthy food items or non-food items for fundraising purposes. The Superintendent or designee also shall encourage school staff to avoid the use of non-nutritious foods as a reward for students academic performance, accomplishments, or classroom behavior. The sale of foods or beverages that do not comply with those standards may be permitted at an elementary school, as part of a fundraising event, only when the items are sold by students of the school and the sale meets one of the following conditions: (Education Code 49431, ) 1. It takes place off and away from school premises. 2. It takes place at least one-half hour after the end of the school day. In addition, a food sale at a middle, junior high or high school need not meet nutritional standards if the sale occurs during a school-sponsored student activity after the end of the school day or away from school premises. Middle and junior high schools cannot sell non-nutritious beverages in vending machines, student stores, and cafeterias until later than one-half hour after the end of the school day. During school hours, home-prepared products will not be allowed to be sold on campus due to the potential of food borne illness. However, Food Service Director approval may be requested for special occasions involving foods that may not meet these nutritional standards. These foods and service methods must meet food safety standards as specified by the Food Services Department. Class parties or celebrations shall be held after the lunch period when possible. This does not apply to food provided by parents/guardians for consumption. At no time will spicy chips such as Takis and Flaming Hot Cheetos be allowed to be sold or given to students by any District staff. This is based on the American Academy of Pediatrics opinion that such products could cause problems to the students digestive system including but not limited to internal bleeding. The only exception to this is food provided to the student by their parent/guardian.

9 Annually Food Services staff will be provided training in food safety, preparation, and service of healthy menu items. To the extent permitted under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, students in all grades shall be allowed to decline a certain number of meal items they do not intend to consume (Offer vs. Serve). STUDENT ACCESS Marketing of the school lunch and breakfast program will include a wide variety of school resources such as newsletters, special food promotions and monthly menus. Vending machines that contain beverages that do not meet the district nutritional standards shall remain locked or be rendered inoperable during the school day. The Food Services department will enter into partnerships as required by the Child Nutritional Services of the Department of Education, with interested student groups to provide food-selling opportunities while sharing profits from such events as required. The Food Services department will oversee the sale of all food by all groups during the school day. The sale of food by school groups shall be done on a very infrequent and limited basis. NUTRITION PROMOTION The Superintendent or designee shall encourage staff to serve as positive role models. He/she shall promote and may provide opportunities for regular physical activity among employees. Students receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, cafeterias, homes, community and media. District health education curriculum standards and guidelines include both nutrition and physical education. Professional development shall include instructional strategies that assess health knowledge and skills and promote healthy behaviors. Nutrition is integrated into the health education curricula. To encourage consistent health messages between the home and school environment, the Superintendent or designee may disseminate health information to parents/guardians through district or school newsletters, handouts, parent/guardian meetings, the district or school web site, and other communications. Out reach to parents/guardians shall emphasize the relationship between student health and academic performance. Advertising of food and beverages on vending machines should promote healthy food choices. No foods of minimal nutritional value shall be distributed on school premises to students.