Healthy School Snacks and Beverages Policy Initiative
Peer-to-Peer Innovation Network
In 2012, AASA was awarded a two-year grant from Leadership for Healthy Communities, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to build supportive relationships among superintendents regarding healthy snack foods and beverages sold in schools. As such, we match school districts together in a peer-to-peer relationship so superintendents and their school boards can develop, or revise and implement effective competitive foods policies. This matching is a powerful tool for superintendents to learn from one another and develop smart, actionable and innovative policies and programmatic solutions to improve their competitive foods policies, and comply with USDA’s Smart Snacks in Schools guidelines. Learn about the initiative.
Smart Snacks in School went into effect on July 1, 2014. Find resources and obtain technical assistance to help your district comply.
Courageous Leadership Conversations. Watch superintedents speak about the role of leadership in creating a culture of health in schools.
Resources
For more information on healthy beverages and snacks (also known as competitive foods):
- Bag the Junk: Improving competitive food policy to create healthier, smarter school environments. NEA-HIN, 2012.
- Health Impact Assessment National Nutrition Standards for Snack and a la Carte Foods and Beverages Sold in Schools. Kids’ Safe & Healthful Foods Project. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2012.
- How Competitive Foods in Schools Impact Student Health, School Meal Programs, and Students from Low-Income Families. FRAC, 2010.
- Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board, 2012.
- Does Competitive Food and Beverage Legislation Hurt Meal Participation or Revenues in High Schools? Peart, T et al.Childhood Obesity. August 2012, Vol 8, Number 4.
- Action Strategies Toolkit: A Guide for Local and State Leaders Working to Create Healthy Communities and Prevent Childhood Obesity (PDF). Leadership for Healthy Communities, 2011.