Policy Statement: To comply with the Texas State School Nutrition Policy, and phase out foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) such as candy, etc.

Purpose: Studies show that kids do better in school when they eat healthy food and get regular exercise. Better grades lead to more chances for success. Based on the nutrition concerns, a nutrition committee headed by Sr Hanifa Hameed, Registered Dietician, worked to address concerns and raise awareness of healthy eating habits by launching a school-wide nutrition campaign. These changes are already reflected in the school lunch program as well as the snack tables. However, increased parental participation and cooperation is sought to make healthy changes in the packed lunches that children bring into the school.

1. Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV)
   Federal regulations, based on the Texas School Nutrition policy, prohibit the sale of certain foods, determined to be of minimal nutritional value, in the foodservice area during meal periods. In order to comply with these regulations, BHA may NOT serve or provide access for students to FMNV and all other forms of candy, chips or dessert type items (cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pudding, ice cream or frozen desserts, etc.) at any time anywhere on school premises, including school lunch program and snack tables, until the end of the last scheduled class and/or after school activity. List of FMNV restricted foods is attached below.
2. Packed Lunch brought from home by students
   Parents shall provide a healthy and nutritious packed lunch for their child which may NOT contain any FMNV or consist of candy, chips or dessert type items (cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pudding, ice cream or frozen desserts, etc). Parents are recommended to refer to the Helpful Guide for Nutritious Snacks and Lunches (Appendix 1).
3. Use of food items as rewards in the classroom
   BHA teachers and/or staff may NOT give FMNV or any candy, chips or desert type items as rewards/snacks to any student anytime on school premises and are encouraged to use non-food items as rewards. Food may be used for instructional purposes as long as the food item is not considered FMNV or candy.
4. FMNV and Policy Exemptions

• School Nurses: This policy does not apply to school nurses using FMNVs during the course of providing health care to individual students (i.e. glucose tablets for diabetics etc).
• School Events: Students may be given FMNV, candy items or other restricted foods during the school day for up to six different events (i.e. Eid parties, etc) each school year (three per semester) as determined by BHA Administration.
• STAAR Test Days: Schools and parents may provide additional nutritious snack per day for students taking the STAAR tests. The snack must comply with the fat and sugar limits of the BHA Nutrition Policy and may not contain any FMNV or consist of candy, chips or dessert type items.
• Field Trips: School-approved field trips are exempt from the nutrition policy.
• Athletic, UIL, Band and Other Competitions: The nutrition policy does not apply to students who leave campus to travel to athletic, UIL, band or other competitions.

List of Restricted Foods: (as per the Texas School Nutrition Policy)

Foods and beverages that are restricted from sale to students are classified in the following four categories:

• Soda Water: Any carbonated beverage. No product shall be excluded from this definition because it contains discrete nutrients added to the food such as vitamins, minerals and protein.
• Water Ices: Any frozen, sweetened water such as “…sicles” and flavored ice with the exception of products that contain fruit or fruit juice.
• Chewing Gum: Any flavored products from natural/ synthetic gums and other ingredients that form an insoluble mass for chewing.
• Certain Candies: Any processed foods made predominantly from sweeteners or artificial sweeteners with a variety of minor ingredients that characterize the following types:
  • Hard Candy
  • Jellies and Gums
  • Marshmallow Candies
  • Fondant
  • Licorice
  • Spun Candy
  • Candy Coated Popcorn

You can view the complete nutrition policy here.