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Smart Snacks at School

Student eating tacos in the cafeteria

We are committed to supporting student wellness by providing nutritious food options throughout the school day. Healthy snacks support students’ physical growth and learning. When schools and families work together to promote good nutrition, students are better prepared to succeed in and out of the classroom.

Our snack and beverage guidelines follow the Smart Snacks in School standards to promote healthy eating habits, reduce childhood obesity, and support student learning.

What Are Smart Snacks?

Smart Snacks are foods and drinks that meet specific nutrition standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These rules apply to all snacks sold or provided to students during the school day—from midnight until 30 minutes after the final dismissal bell.

Where Do Smart Snack Rules Apply?

Smart Snack standards apply to:

  • Vending machines
  • A la carte menus in school cafeterias
  • School stores
  • Fundraisers involving food or drinks
  • Any food sold or offered on school campuses during the day

All items must be commercially prepared.

What Snacks Are Allowed?

Approved snacks are:

  • Lower in sugar, sodium, and fat
  • Whole-grain rich or have fruits, vegetables, dairy, or protein as the first ingredient
  • Free from caffeine (for elementary and middle schools)
  • Portioned appropriately for age and grade level

Water must be available during meals and throughout the day.

Smart Snacks Nutrient Standards

Nutrient Snack Entrée
Calories 200 or less 350 or less
Sodium 200 mg or less 480 mg or less
Total Fat 35% of calories or less 35% of calories or less
Saturated Fat Less than 10% of calories Less than 10% of calories
Trans Fat 0 g 0 g
Total Sugars 35% by weight or less 35% by weight or less

 

How Can I Tell If My Snack Meets the Standards?

  1. Enter the nutrition facts and ingredient list into the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Smart Snacks Product Calculator. For multi-unit packages, enter the serving size for one unit and set servings per container as one. Do not use bulk box values.

  2. If your snack doesn’t have a nutrition label (e.g., made from scratch), use a USDA-approved nutrient analysis software. Your school nutrition program may already use one. Learn more from the USDA's approved list.

Setting Spending Limits in MySchoolBucks

To manage your student’s cafeteria spending in MySchoolBucks:

  1. Log in to MySchoolBucks and click the person icon in the top right corner.

  2. From the menu, click “My Student.”

  3. Find your student’s name, then click “Edit.”

On this screen, you can set optional spending limits for a la carte items (like snacks or second servings). These limits include:

  • Daily Spending Limit
  • Weekly Spending Limit
  • Breakfast Spending Limit

To disable a la carte spending, set all these amounts to $0. This will not prevent your student from purchasing full meals.

Next, select one of these account types:

  • Cash Account for Meals ONLY – For meal purchases only (no a la carte)

  • Cash Account for Meals/Ala Carte – For second servings and a la carte items

You can update these settings at any time. 

School Smart Snack Solutions

WCPSS Child Nutrition Services' Smart Snack Solutions food and beverage service for in-school activities ensures that schools meet federal law and WCPSS Wellness Policy Smart Snacks requirements.

Contact us if you have any questions: 919-856-2918 or cnscustomerservice@wcpss.net