Nutrition and Wellness

All reimbursable meals shall meet Federal nutrient standards as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Program regulations. All items served as part of the After School Snack Program shall meet the standards as outlined within this policy.

The following items may not be served, sold or given out as free promotion anywhere on school property at anytime before the end of the school day:

• Foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) as defined by U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations;
• All food and beverage items listing sugar, in any form, as the first ingredient; and
• All forms of candy

North Star Academy shall reduce the purchase of any products containing Trans fats. (Federal labeling of Trans fats on all food products is required by January 1, 2006.)

All snack and beverage items sold or served anywhere on school property during the school day, including items sold in a la carte lines, vending machines, snack bars, school stores, and fundraisers or served in the reimbursable After School Snack Program, shall meet the following standards:

1. Based on manufacturers’ nutritional data or nutrient facts labels:
   1. No more than 8 grams of total fat per serving, with the exception of nuts and seeds
   2. No more than 2 grams of saturated fat per serving
2. All beverages shall not exceed 12 ounces, with the following exceptions:
   1.  Water
   2. Milk containing 2 percent or less fat
3. Whole milk shall not exceed 8 ounces.

In elementary schools:

• 100 percent of all beverages offered shall be milk, water, or 100 percent fruit or vegetable juices.

In middle and high schools:

• At least 60 percent of all beverages offered, other than milk and water, shall be 100 percent fruit or vegetable juices.

Food and beverages served during special school celebrations or during curriculum related activities shall be exempt from this policy, with the exception of foods of minimal nutritional value as defined by USDA regulations.

This policy does not apply to:

• medically authorized special needs diets pursuant to 7 CFR Part 210;
• school nurses using FMNVs during the course of providing health care to individual students; or
• special needs students whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP) indicates their use for behavior modification.

North Star Academy’s curriculum shall incorporate nutrition education and physical activity consistent with the New Jersey Department of Education Core Curriculum Standards.

North Star Academy is committed to promoting the Nutrition Policy with all food service personnel, teachers, nurses, coaches and other school administrative staff so they have the skills they need to implement this policy and promote healthy eating practices. North Star Academy will work toward expanding awareness about this policy among students, parents, teachers and the community at large.