New USDA Rules on School Fundraisers

As reported recently in news outlets and in last week's Leadership News, beginning July 1, 2014, all foods sold to students on the school campus during the school day, including fundraisers, must meet nutrition standards under the Smart Snacks rule. Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, flexibility was given to provide exemptions for school-sponsored infrequent fundraisers that do not meet the standards. State Child Nutrition Agencies have the authority to set the number of exempted fundraisers permitted per school year. If the State Agency does not designate a number, it is assumed that there are no exempted fundraisers. This is not being mandated by the Washington State PTA. It is a Federal program and mandated from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The WSPTA is in communication with the Washington State Department of Agriculture on the development of rules and we will share the fruition of those discussions when we hear more. For additional information regarding the Smart Snacks program, go to http://www.wastatepta.org/about_us/healthy_snacks.html.