Smart Snacks in School

All food offered or sold during the school day must meet USDA Smart Snack standards. This includes all food and beverages offered to students through school stores, concession stands, vending machines, as a snack or during a class or school celebration.

To learn more about how to order smart snacks for your school or school event visit our Smart Snack Order Page.

Why are Smart Snacks Important? 

• More than 1/4 of a kid's daily calories may come from snacks
• Kids who have healthier eating patterns are more likely to perform better academically
• During the school day, Smart Snacks are the healthy choice
• A federal requirement for all foods sold outside the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program

To qualify as a Smart Snack, the food item must meet the following nutritional standards:

• Grains must be 50 percent or more whole grains by weight; listed as the first ingredient on the nutrition label
• The first ingredient is a fruit, vegetable, dairy or a protein item
• A combination item, containing no less than ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable
• Must meet nutritional standards for calories, sodium, sugars, and fats