File: EFEA* - Nutritious Food Choices

At every possible eating occasion, students will have opportunities to practice what they are taught in nutrition education and choose nutritious snacks that are low in fat, sodium and added sugars.

Schools are encouraged to take steps to ensure:

•  nutritious foods are always available as an affordable option whenever food is served or sold;

•  students have limited opportunities to eat snacks high in fat, sodium or added sugars; and

•  competition with nutritious meals served by the school food service program is minimized.

The emphasis on healthy choices applies to:

•  a la carte items (separate food choices) offered by the food service program;

•  "competitive foods" which are snacks and beverages sold from vending machines, school stores and fund-raising activities that compete with the food service program; and

•  refreshments that are available at school parties, celebrations and meetings.

Each beverage offered for sale to students from any source, including the school cafeteria, vending machines, school stores and fund-raising activities conducted on school grounds, shall satisfy the minimum nutritional standards for beverages adopted by the State Board of Education. The Board imposes the following additional restrictions:

•  the sale of diet soda on high school campuses is prohibited;

These standards shall apply to beverages sold on campus during the regular school day and extended school day, including but not limited to extracurricular activities such as clubs, yearbook, band, student government and drama as well as childcare programs.

These standards shall not apply to the sale of beverages at school-related events where parents and other adults are invited attendees. Such activities include but are not limited to interscholastic sporting events, school plays and band concerts.

Adopted October 5, 2004

Revised December 2, 2008

Revised October 6, 2009

Revised March 10, 2015

Revised June 20, 2017

Reviewed August 21, 2023

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-134.5 (healthy beverage requirement)

C.R.S. 22-32-136.3 (trans fat ban)

1 CCR 301-79 (State Board of Education - healthy beverages rules)