Regulation JLJ-RA Related Entries:

Regulation JLJ-RA Related Entries: Responsible Office: JLJ Chief Operations Officer Las Cruces Public Schools Student Nutrition I. PURPOSE This regulation establishes the parameters for providing a positive nutrition environment for students. II. GUIDELINES A. School Meals 1. Breakfast and lunch are offered to all students daily at all Las Cruces Public Schools campuses. 2. Menus are created with input from students and staff and are analyzed by a trained nutritionist to ensure that they meet federal guidelines. Meals provide no more than 30% of their calories from fat, and no more than 10% from saturated fat. Breakfast provides ¼ and lunch 1/3 of the daily caloric needs (based on age) and nutrient requirements for protein, iron, calcium, vitamins A and C. All meals are analyzed over a one week period to ensure that they meet these federal guidelines. To support the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Las Cruces Public Schools is promoting the inclusion of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. 3. The district accommodates special dietary needs for students with disabilities that restrict their diets. A diet prescription outlining the modifications signed by a physician must be provided to the school cafeteria manager, the Food Services Director and the school nurse if the child is receiving Special Education Services. The Food Services staff will prepare the meal along with the other meals being served that day and make it as similar to the daily menu as possible. The district will try to accommodate special dietary needs requested by a qualified health professional for students without an identified disability. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. Specific diet requests based on religious or philosophical viewpoints may be requested through the Food Services Director. Page 1 of 9

B. A La Carte 1. A la carte refers to individually priced food items sold to students by the Las Cruces Public Schools Food Services Department. No other group or organization is authorized to sell food or beverages during the lunch period. 2. Food Services will follow the Public Education Department guidelines for a la carte sales which are shown on the attached grid and set forth in subsection B of 6.12.5.8 NMAC.. C. Eating Environment 1. Schools will provide adequate time for students to eat and enjoy meals. At least 10 minutes for breakfast and 15 minutes for lunch, from the time each student is seated. 2. Dining areas will be attractive and have enough space for seating. 3. One or more water fountains shall be accessible to students at meals. 4. Cafeterias shall include enough serving areas so students do not spend too much time waiting in line. 5. School schedules, class and bus schedules shall ensure that all students have daily access to school meals. 6. Elementary schools are encouraged to schedule recess before lunch. 7. School staff responsible for supervising meal periods shall model proper conduct, voice level, and healthy eating habits. 8. Students are encouraged to start each day with a healthy breakfast. D. Classroom Food 1. Strong consideration shall be given to non-food items as part of any teacher-to-student incentive or awards program. 2. Snacking in the classroom should be kept to a minimum in order to discourage continuous eating. 3. At class or school parties, best practice is to encourage parents to supply healthy choices. A list of suggested healthy classroom snacks can be found on the district website. Page 2 of 9

E. Vending 4. Adults will role model healthy eating behaviors. 1. Vending refers to beverages and food products sold in vending machines to students in schools. 2. A grid outlining parameters for allowable foods and beverages that can be sold in vending machines is attached. These parameters are specific to the school level, and are set forth in subsection A of 6.12.5.8 NMAC. 3. Questions concerning vending contracts with Las Cruces Public Schools shall be directed to the Purchasing Department. F. Fund Raising During Normal School Hours 1. Fund raising refers to beverage or food products sold to raise money that are not sold in vending machines, a la carte sales or part of the USDA school meal program. 2. School-sponsored fund raisers that take place during normal school hours include, but are not limited to, school stores, classroom food sales, club sales. Such fund raisers shall meet the guidelines set forth in subsection C of 6.12.5.8 NMAC. A grid outlining parameters for allowable foods and beverages sold during normal school hours is found on the district website and is attached. These parameters are specific to the school level. 3. No foods or beverages may be sold as fund raisers during the lunch period except by Food Services. (See Las Cruces Public Schools grid and section B of this regulation). 4. All organizations, clubs, or classes planning to sell food for funding raising during the school day must attend a district level training and sign a memorandum or understanding on an annual basis. 5. A list of foods that meet the guidelines for allowable foods and beverages specified in the state rule is posted on the district s website under Food Services and also under Health Services. 6. School staff, organizations and clubs are encouraged to explore non-food fund raisers. Page 3 of 9

7. The school day is defined as the time span between 30 minutes before the bell rings in the morning until after the end-of-the day bell. G. Fund Raising Before and After School Hours 1. School-sponsored fund raisers that take place outside of normal school hours include, but are not limited to, concession stands at athletic events, meals such as enchilada suppers and pancake breakfasts, and door-to-door brochure sales. Such fund raisers shall meet the guidelines set forth in subsection C of 6.12.5.8 NMAC. A grid outlining allowable foods and beverages that can be sold is attached. 2. Guidelines for foods and beverages sold outside of normal school hours are the same for all school levels and require that at least 50% of the offerings, at that fund raiser, meet the fat, calorie and sugar restrictions set forth in the rule, and be offered for the duration of the sale or event. 3. Model meals that can be used for fund raising such as enchilada suppers, etc. that provide at least 50% of the offerings in compliance with the state rule can be found on the district website under Food Services and also under Health Services. 4. Vendors seeking fund raising opportunities with Las Cruces Public Schools must adhere to the guidelines within the Notice to Vendors issued by the Purchasing Department. Administrators with questions should contact the Directors of Food Services or Health Services. 5. All organizations, clubs, or classes planning to sell food for funding raising after normal school hours must attend a district level training and sign a memorandum or understanding on an annual basis. 6. Best practices include non-food fund raisers, especially those that encourage exercise. III. REVIEW This regulation shall be reviewed on an on-going basis in accordance with the Board of Education policy review process. Page 4 of 9

Legal Reference: Section 204 of Public Law 108-265 of Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 6.12.5 Nutrition: Competitive Food Sales NMAC Approved, Chief Operating Officer July 17, 06 Date Approved Page 5 of 9

Las Cruces Public Schools Food Sale Rule Grid This Rule applies to food or beverage sold at school other than served as part of the United States Department of Agriculture school meal program. This includes any item sold in vending machines, a la carte, or through other school fundraising efforts during the normal school hours and outside the normal school hours. Vended Beverages and Foods (any beverage or food product sold in vending machines to students in schools) Vended Beverages Allowed after the last 100% Fruit Juice that has no more than 125 calories/container serving size not to exceed 20 oz. At least 50% Fruit Juice that has serving size not to exceed 20 oz. Allowed after the end of last Sugar free/ Caffeine Free Soft Drinks (must be both) Non-carbonated flavored water with no added sweeteners Sports Drinks Vended Foods NONE Allowed after the last Foods meeting the following guidelines Foods meeting the following guidelines Page 6 of 9

**with the exception of nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt, and fruit** No more than 200 calories per container or package or No more than 8 grams of fat per serving with no more than 2 grams from saturated or trans fat per container or package or No more than 15 grams of sugar per container or package or amount served **with the exception of nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt, and fruit** No more than 200 calories per container or package or No more than 8 grams of fat per serving with no more than 2 grams from saturated or trans fat per container or package or No more than 15 grams of sugar per container or package or amount served A La Carte (Beverages or food products sold in schools to students during the lunch period by the Food Service Department that is not part of the United States Department of Agriculture school meal program) A La Carte Beverages 100% Fruit Juice that has no more than 125 calories/container serving size not to exceed 20 oz. At least 50% Fruit Juice that has serving size not to exceed 20 oz. A La Carte Foods A La Carte (Beverages or food products sold in schools to students during the lunch period by the Food Service Department that is not part of the United States Department of Agriculture school meal program) Page 7 of 9

Food products sold in the Elementary, Middle, and High School during the lunch period as a la carte must meet the following guidelines (** exception of nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt, and fruit**) No more than 400 calories per container or package or amount served, No more than 16 grams of fat ( no more than 2 grams from saturated and trans fat combined) per container or package or No more than 30 grams of total sugar per container or package or amount served. Fund Raisers (Beverages or food products sold to raise money that are not sold in vending machines, a la carte or as part of the United States Department of Agriculture school meal program) During Normal School Hours (30 minutes before the start of the school day until the bell rings at the end of the school day) Beverages Sold during Normal School Hours as Fund Raisers Allowed except during lunch period Allowed except during lunch period 100% Fruit Juice that has no more than 125 calories/container serving size not to exceed 20 oz. Allowed except during lunch period At least 50% Fruit Juice that has serving size not to exceed 20 oz. Foods Sold during Normal School Hours for Fund Raisers NONE Foods meeting the following guidelines **with the exception of nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt, and fruit** Foods meeting the following guidelines **with the exception of nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt, and fruit** Page 8 of 9

No more than 200 calories per container or package or No more than 8 grams of fat per serving with no more than 2 grams from saturated or trans fat per container or package or No more than 15 grams of sugar per container or package or amount served No more than 200 calories per container or package or No more than 8 grams of fat per serving with no more than 2 grams from saturated or trans fat per container or package or No more than 15 grams of sugar per container or package or amount served Fund Raise Outside the Normal School Hours Beverages and Food products may be sold as fund raisers outside of the normal school hours for Elementary, Middle and High Schools provided that at least 50 % of the offerings meet the following requirements: Beverages: At least 50% Fruit Juice that has serving size not to exceed 20 oz Foods **with the exception of nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt, and fruit** No more than 200 calories per container or package or No more than 8 grams of fat per serving with no more than 2 grams from saturated or trans fat per container or package or No more than 15 grams of sugar per container or package or amount served Page 9 of 9