Support Strong Standards for Snacks and Beverages Sold in Schools

In February 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed updated standards for snacks and beverages ("competitive foods") sold in schools through vending machines, a la carte, and school stores. Current national standards for competitive foods are 30 years out of date and don't address calories, saturated and trans fats, salt, and sugars, which are key public health concerns for child nutrition and obesity. While some states and localities have made progress to improve the nutritional quality of school snacks and beverages, unhealthy snacks and beverages are still widely available in schools. Below are resources and ideas to support strong final national standards for competitive foods.

• TAKE ACTION! Click here to submit a comment in support of strong final standards
• "Smart Snacks in School" Proposed Rule
• USDA Q&A on Proposed Rule
• Comparison of Different Competitive Foods Standards
• National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA) Backgrounder on National Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods Sold in Schools

Fact Sheets, Infographics, & Reports

General/Background

• Kids' Safe & Healthful Foods Project (KSHF) Competitive Foods Health Impact Assessment
• Healthy Eating Research (HER) Brief on Competitive Foods
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Snapshot on Competitive Foods
• NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) Fact Sheet on Improving Competitive Foods
• KSHF Out of Balance Report & Infographic
• NANA Fact Sheet on Sports Drinks in Schools
• HER Brief on Consumption of Sports Drinks by Children and Adolescents
• ChangeLab Solutions Legal Analysis of USDA’s Authority to Set Standards for ALL Foods Sold in Schools

Cost/Financial Implications

• NANA Fact Sheet on School Food Funding Myths
• CDC Fact Sheet on the Financial Implications of Strong Competitive Foods Standards
• KSHF School Foods Financial Infographic
• KSHF School Foods Financial Impact Q&A
• NEA HIN Healthy Rewards Fact Sheet

State & Local Policies

• CDC Competitive Foods State Policy Analysis
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation Competitive Foods Case Studies
• Illinois Public Health Institute Competitive Foods Case Studies

If you have any questions or would like a copy of the NANA detailed model comment, please email Hannah at hjones@cspinet.org.