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;

  insert other local restrictions here]

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:  March 04, 2008

Revised:  June 09, 2009/ August 11, 2009/ August 13, 2013/ April 14, 2015/ October 10, 2017

Reviewed and approved:  October 8, 2024

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)