School Health Guidelines
to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

A: Strategies include:

• Promote access to and participation in school meals for all students.
• Provide nutritious and appealing school meals that comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and federal nutrition standards for school meals.
• Ensure that all foods and beverages sold or served outside of school meal programs are nutritious and appealing.

A: Competitive foods are foods and beverages that are available outside of the federally reimbursable meal programs. These can be foods that are sold, served, or given to students, such as in classroom celebrations or vending machines.

A: In addition to the school meal programs, many schools sell other foods and beverages, called competitive foods. These are available in cafeteria à la carte lines, vending machines, school stores, concession stands, fund-raisers, and classroom parties.

A: Historically, most available competitive foods have been high in sugar, fat, and calories, such as chips, candy, soda, and pastries. Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, foods and beverages sold outside of the school meal programs during the school day must meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School Nutrition standards, which emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy products.