Competitive Foods Policy and Smart Snacks Standards

Competitive Foods Policy

Schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are required to adhere to the following:

• No food or beverages can be sold to children anywhere on school premises beginning 30 minutes before breakfast and/or lunch service until 30 minutes after meal service unless all proceeds earned during these time periods go to the School Nutrition Program.
  • This regulation extends to all other programs, clubs, as well as vending machines. There should not be competition or overlap with breakfast and lunch meal services, unless all profits during these periods go to the School Nutrition Program.
• All foods and beverages sold during the school day must meet the Smart Snacks Standards.

Smart Snacks Standards

All food and beverages sold on the school campus during the school day must meet Smart Snack Standards, except for food and beverages that are a part of a reimbursable meal. Smart Snack Standards apply to food and beverages sold a la carte, in the school store, vending machines, at fundraisers, and any other venue where food is sold to students. There are no requirements for food and beverages sold during non-school hours: 30 minutes after the end of the school day until midnight the following day and weekends.

• School day is defined as the midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. 
• School campus is defined as all areas of school property that are accessible to students.

For more information, including item exemptions, the second entrée exemption, and guidance on navigating food and beverage-based fundraisers, visit the USDA’s Smart Snacks in Schools webpage.

Use the calculator to determine if a food or beverage is Smart Snack compliant.