Links

Links for Lunchroom Employees

Alabama State Child Nutrition Program
State Department of Education Child Nutrition Program Website

Commodity Fact Sheets
Click on the food group to bring up the different commodities available. Click on the commodity to view facts on serving sizes, etc. for each item.

SDE Nutrition Policies
The Alabama State Department of Education (SDE) requires schools to use these standards to determine what snacks are available at school, including a la carte sales in the cafeteria, vending machines, school stores, fundraisers, classroom parties and other school events. The standards do not apply to reimbursable meals served in the USDA school nutrition programs, since standards already exist for school meals.

USDA Commodity Fact Sheets
This page provides links to the USDA Commodity Foods Fact Sheets. These Fact Sheets provide information on product description, pack/yield, storage, preparation and nutritional information for each of the commodities.

Links for Principals

SDE Nutrition Policies
The Alabama State Department of Education (SDE) requires schools to use these standards to determine what snacks are available at school, including a la carte sales in the cafeteria, vending machines, school stores, fundraisers, classroom parties and other school events. The standards do not apply to reimbursable meals served in the USDA school nutrition programs, since standards already exist for school meals.

Smart Snacks Calculator
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires USDA to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in school - beyond the federally-supported meals programs. This new rule carefully balances science-based nutrition guidelines with practical and flexible solutions to promote healthier eating on campus.

The rule draws on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, existing voluntary standards already implemented by thousands of schools around the country, and healthy food and beverage options already available in the marketplace.

As of July 1, 2014, all foods and beverages sold in schools must meet the Smart Snack Guidelines. By clicking on the above Smart Snacks Calculator link and answering a few questions about the product they wish to sell, principals can quickly take the guess work out of deterring if their snacks meet the Smart Snack Guidelines. Results from this calculator have been determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be accurate in assessing product compliance with the Federal requirements for Smart Snacks in Schools.

Smart Snack Guidelines

Nutrition Standards for Foods

  • Be a "whole grain-rich" grain product; or

  • Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or

  • Be a combination food that contains at least 1/4 cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or

  • Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, Vitamin D or dietary fiber).*

Foods must also meet several Nutrient Requirements:

  • Calorie Limits: Snack items: ≤200 calories; Entrée Items ≤350 calories

  • Sodium Limits: Snack Items: ≤230 mg**; Entrée Items ≤480 mg

  • Fat Limits: Total Fat: ≤35% of calories (AL ≤30% if calories); Saturated Fat <10% of calories; Trans Fat: zero grams

  • Sugar Limit: ≤35% of weight from total sugars in foods

Accompaniments such as cream cheese, salad dressing and butter must be included int he nutrient profile as part of the food item sold!

Nutrition Standards for Beverages

All schools may sell:

  • Plain water

  • Unflavored low fat milk

  • Unflavored or flavored fat free milk and milk alternatives permitted by NSLP/SBP

  • 100% fruit or vegetable juice and

  • 100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water, and no added

    sweeteners

Elementary Schools may sell up to 8-ounce portions, while middle schools and high school may sell up to 12-ounce portions of milk and juice. (AL limits middle school to 10-ounce portions of juice). There is no portion size limits for plain water.

Beyond this, the standards allow additional "no calorie" and "lower calorie" beverage options for high school students only:

  • No more than 20-ounce portions of calorie-free, flavored water (with or without carbonation); and other flavored and/or carbonated beverages that are labeled to contain , 5 calories per 8 fluid ounces or ≤ 10 calories per 20 fluid ounces.

  • No more than 12-ounce portions of beverages with ≤40 calories per 8 fluid ounces, or ≤60 calories per 12 fluid ounces.

Fundraisers

  • Food items that meet nutrition requirements are not limited.

  • The standards do not apply during non-school hours, on weekends and at off-campus fundraising events.

*On July 1, 2016, foods may not qualify using the 10% DV criteria

**On July 1, 2016, snack items must contain ≤200 mg sodium per item.

List of Snacks that Meet USDA Smart Snack Guidelines

List of Beverages that Meet USDA Smart Snack Guidelines

Links for Parents

SDE Nutrition Policies
The Alabama State Department of Education (SDE) requires schools to use these standards to determine what snacks are available at school, including a la carte sales in the cafeteria, vending machines, school stores, fundraisers, classroom parties and other school events. The standards do not apply to reimbursable meals served in the USDA school nutrition programs, since standards already exist for school meals.

KidsHealth for Parents
KidsHealth is a website providing families with doctor-approved health information for children from before birth to adolescence. It was created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, an organization created and devoted to improving the health of children. This site is in no way intended to replace the child's personal health physician. A great resource for General Health, Nutrition and Fitness, Infections, Positive Parenting, First Aid and Safety and more.

Summer Feeding Program
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that low-income children continue to receive meals when school is out during the summer months. Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does a child's need for good nutrition. Lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins again and make children more prone to illness and other health issues. The SFSP is designed to fill that nutrition gap by providing free, nutritious meals during the summer months when students are out of school. Click here to find a location near you.

Links for Students

KidsHealth for Kids
KidsHealth is a website providing families with doctor-approved health information for children from before birth to adolescence. It was created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, an organization created and devoted to improving the health of children. Check out this site for some Fun Games, Recipes and more!

KidsHealth for Teens
KidsHealth is a website providing families with doctor-approved health information for children from before birth to adolescence. It was created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, an organization created and devoted to improving the health of children. Topics discussed include Allergies, Strength Training, Smart Snacking, Tattoos and more.

Links for Teachers

SDE Nutrition Policies
The Alabama State Department of Education (SDE) requires schools to use these standards to determine what snacks are available at school, including a la carte sales in the cafeteria, vending machines, school stores, fundraisers, classroom parties and other school events. The standards do not apply to reimbursable meals served in the USDA school nutrition programs, since standards already exist for school meals.