Despite the efforts of the School Nutrition Directors, advocates and other allied organizations to present a fair and equitable policy on "fund raising exceptions", the State Board of Education initiated the rulemaking process to amend the state board rule to comply with the federal Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010. Federal regulations require these new standards beginning July 1, 2014. The proposed amended rule will include provisions that require local school systems to have policies regarding the sale of competitive foods during school and school-related activities (fundraisers). The rule will also contain new definitions for "competitive foods", school campus, and school day.

The initiated rule will allow schools to hold up to 30 food-related fundraisers per school per school year that do not meet the nutrition standards recommend by the Institute of Medicine and that are now established by federal law. The Department of Education will also develop a procedure for school districts to obtain a temporary exemption from the State BOE approved fundraiser limit (30) on a case-by-case basis. Local school nutrition directors recommended a total of five (5) exemptions.

The State Board will be voting on this issue at their August 21st board meeting. You all know this is a time of great challenge in school nutrition. It is very important that each of you contact the Board with your comments and local "stories" about how the snack policy will affect your program and your bottom line.  They have heard from others in the educational community---now they need to hear from you.