New Changes In School Nutrition Policy

Policy 4321.1

Dear Parents:

Here are some of the changes in the school’s Nutritional Policy for this school year. This will be a learning process for all of us this year. Please be patient with us. There will be mistakes but hopefully we will all learn from these mistakes. West Virginia is 2^nd in obesity in the United States. Hopefully we can give our students a healthier lifestyle.

Thank  you.

The Cooks and Staff

at Harrisville Elementary

In the new policy for nutrition the state has made some changes concerning the snacks that are served for parties and even in the snacks that we serve.  The following list is some of the changes:

1.      The state isn’t allowing any home baked products to be brought in from

home for parties this year.

2.      Each item that is brought into the school has to be individually wrapped

for each student. Each item has to have a nutritional label on wrapper.

(fruit roll ups, etc.).

3.      Snacks like fruit roll ups, marshmallow treats, fresh fruits, and vegetable

trays, carrots packed individually, popcorn, baked potato chips, 100 calorie snacks, are acceptable, as long as they meet the guidelines. Each item must be individually wrapped.

4.      Drinks that can be used are bottled water, 1% or skim milk, flavored 1%

milks and 100% fruit and vegetable juices.

5.      Each item served shall have no more than 12 grams (35%) of sugar

calories per product, excluding fresh fruits.

6.      Limit total calories to no more than 200 per product/package.

7.      Limit total fat to no more than 30% of calories per product/package  

excluding nuts, seeds or cheese.

8.      Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total calories.

9.     Limit trans fat to less than or equal to 0.5 grams per product/package.

10.  Limit sodium to no more than 200 milligrams per product/package.

For all grade levels, it is recommended that only water, 100% fruit or 100% vegetable juices and non–fat milk, flavored or unflavored be used.

No candy, soft drinks, chewing gum or flavored ice bars can be used.

Also recommends that other juice beverages not contain added sugar.

Limit fruit/vegetables juice servings to be no more than 4 oz. for elementary students.

Foods and beverages shall not be offered as a reward or used as a means of punishment for any student during the school day.

Some other suggestions that are allowable could be sugar free jello, Lego Fun Snacks, Princess Ariel Fruit Snacks. Each of these contain 80 calories, 0 grams of fat, and 13 grams of sugar. Yogurts can also be used.  Low sugar and low carb yogurt should be used.

Calories in 1 gram of Fat:      9

Example: 5 grams of fat x 9 = 40 fat calories

Calories in 1 gram of Protein:     4

Example:  7 grams of protein x 4 = 28 protein calories

Calories in 1 gram of Carbohydrate, including Sugars:     4

Example:   10 grams of Sugars x 4 = 40 Sugar Calories

Home room mothers need to check with teachers from each room. We have several students with allergies. Some of these allergies can be life threatening, so be sure you check with the teachers.