School Foods: A Guide to Implementing the New Hampshire Administrative Rules for Education Regarding Food and Nutrition is a toolkit designed to help schools implement the new rules, which affect all foods made available in New Hampshire public schools outside of the regular USDA school meals and snack programs. 

Many schools are reconsidering whether selling low-nutrition foods as part of school fundraisers is an appropriate way to raise money, given the high rates of childhood obesity and children's poor diets.  In addition, USDA will soon propose nutrition standards for competitive foods sold in schools, including fundraisers.  While it will be a new approach for many schools, practical and profitable healthy fundraising alternatives are available.  CSPI has pulled together examples of healthy school fundraising ideas.  CSPI also has a fact sheet on healthy fundraisers and a list of healthier fundrasing options.

ASTPHND recently wrote a letter of support to the USDA for the new school meal regulations.  Click on the PDF above to read ASTPHND's letter.

ASTHO, in coordination with ASTPHND, has developed a document to highlight the role of state health agencies in the implementation of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act.  The issue brief identifies key components of the Act and emphasizes partnerships with departments of education and agriculture around programs such as WIC, the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. It also includes a state-by-state summary of agency oversight for WIC, SNAP, CACFP, and childcare licensing.

NANA, along with USDA, MomsRising, and other national organizations have launched a Back to School campaign to support implementation of the new school meals and to improve the image of school lunch.  CSPI has generated a number of tools to help spread the word about the new school meals, including: 

• Model Facebook posts and tweets.
  
• Sample action alerts. 
• Tip sheets for parents and educators.
  
• Model press releases and letters to the editor.
  
• Sample letters to legislators

and much more!  You can access all of these resources at www.schoolfoods.org/back2school.  There are also many resources available through USDA at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Healthierschoolday.  For more information, contact Hannah Jones at CSPI. 

Massachusetts released Healthy Students, Healthy Schools: Revised Guidance for Implementing the Massachusetts School Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods and Beverages.  The purpose of this guidance document is to assist schools in implementing the state's new school nutrition guidelines.  Click on the PDF above to view the guidance document.

School Foods: A Guide to Implementing the New Hampshire Administrative Rules for Education Regarding Food and Nutrition is a toolkit designed to help schools implement the new rules, which affect all foods made available in New Hampshire public schools outside of the regular USDA school meals and snack programs.  All foods made available in public schools during school hours are included in the rule, including à la carte, vending-machine, celebration, and fundraiser foods and beverages.  While the details are specific to New Hampshire, other states can adapt the content.  The toolkit provides tips on communicating policy, maximizing financial gains, promoting new foods, fundraisers, and other resources.  For more information call 603.271.4551 or visit the program website.

USDA-FNS has launched a new website, The School Day Just Got Healthier!, to guide parents, students and school staff through the new, healthy changes to school meals being implemented in schools nationwide through the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.  The USDA's goal is to raise awareness about the new school meal standards and ultimately make the school day healthier for all of America’s children.  Visit the new site for more information and resources that you can use to promote the 2012 Back-To-School initiative.

Also see the ASTPHND resource, Drinking Water in Schools.