The Smart Snacks in School rule went into effect this past year, and ensures snacks foods and beverages sold in schools are healthy. Together with our partners, MomsRising submitted over 200,000 signatures from people like you who support these healthy changes to the school day. Now, snacks sold through vending machines, stores and a la carte lines need to be in kid-sized portions, and in general have fewer than 200 calories and be low in fat, sodium and sugar. Mom victory!
However, in response to concerns about limiting school fundraising options the USDA included a provision in the rule that allows states to decide the maximum number of school fundraisers which can be exempt from the standards per year. If a state does nothing, the number of exempt fundraisers defaults to zero.
Many states are indeed doing nothing, opting to embrace healthy options for school fundraising activities (of which there are many - see below!). Michigan and Ohio are two of the small number of states whose legislatures have attempted to allow significant numbers of exempt fundraising days each year. Here’s an update on where each stands:
- Ohio: a bill that would allow schools to hold junk food fundraisers three days of each week is still on the table. Ohio moms and dads: add your voice now, telling Ohio officials to stop the junk food fundraising bill!
- Michigan: The junk food fundraising bill has passed through the Senate, and is now with the Governor. We did succeed in limiting the number of fundraising days. Read more.
A big thanks to all of the moms and dads from Ohio and Michigan who've spoken out on this issue. You've had a huge impact, letting leaders in both states know that we won't rest until all kids have a healthy school day.
Find out more:
- Check out some this great resource from CSPI on how school fundraising can be both healthy and profitable: Sweet Deals: School Fundraising Can Be Healthy and Profitable.
- Read more about the smart snacks rule from Jessica Donze Black on the MomsRising blog.
- Check out an overview of the fundraising exemptions on The Lunch Tray blog.
- Join the Good Food Force: a community of moms and dads speak out in support of healthy kids and communities.
- Download our handy guide to the Smart Snacks in School rule, below.
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