New USDA guidelines alter school lunches and fundraisers

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, new standards, defined as the USDA Interim Final Rule Nutrition Standards or “Smart Snacks in Schools” guidelines, have been implemented to make food sold at school healthier.

These regulations apply to food sold in the cafeteria, school stores, snack bars, vending machines and as a part of fundraising efforts, according to District 203’s Sodexo general manager, Barbara Brown.

“The impact on us is the most obvious because of lunch time and what we serve at breakfast,” Brown said. “The regulation really does apply to any food being sold, not just what Sodexo is selling.”

According to the “Smart Snacks” guidelines, the food sold must meet multiple requirements. It must either be whole grain, list the first ingredient as either a fruit, vegetable, dairy product or protein, be a “combination food” or contain 10 percent of the daily value of one nutrient of public health concern.

These nutrition standards will impact all food and beverages sold to students on school grounds during the school day, which is defined from midnight to thirty minutes after all classes are dismissed, Brown said.

According to the “Smart Snacks” guidelines, the regulations give states the authority to exempt some fundraisers from these guidelines. However, Illinois has not made any rules exempting any fundraisers at this time. Senior color guard member Kayla Beal is disappointed that she can no longer sell Fannie May chocolate bars to help fundraise for her team.

“The chocolate bars always made someone’s day,” Beal said. “I’m a little upset, but I know we’re thinking about selling beef jerky, granola bars or other healthier options.”

Sodexo has also redone multiple options on the lunch menu to comply with the new regulations.

“What we found the most difficult was trying to meet the calorie and sodium limits. We have improved our menu a lot though. It is an ongoing process,” Brown said. “As manufacturers come up with these new products in response to ‘Smart Snacks,’ then we will make them available to students to see which of them they like.”

According to Brown, Sodexo is planning to do a survey in the next few weeks to find out what food students would prefer, particularly at the action station in the large café.

NNHS school nurse Jeanne Costanza is in full support of the new guidelines.

“It is a step in the right direction. Is it going to fix it all? No,” Costanza said. “But it is bringing the message that this is what we believe is best; kids learn better when they are healthier. “

Senior DECA member Rikin Shah is looking forward to finding new ways of revenue for his club, besides DECA donuts.

“[The donuts] were a consistent stream of fund-raising, but they obviously don’t fit into the guidelines,” Shah said. “But, just over the last two weeks we’ve come up with tons of new fundraisers that we think are going to be really successful.”

Senior Chase Llanes does not support the new food guidelines and their effect on the school.

“As far as I’m considered, we’re in full control of what we put in our mouths and our bodies so it’s our decision,” Llanes said. “If kids want to eat something unhealthy, they’re just going to bring it from home. If it’s [sold at the school], there’s just more revenue that can be generated for school clubs.”