How Does Your State Stack Up? Interactive Tool Allows You to Explore School Snack Food Laws
Topics: Fundraisers/School Revenue, Vending, State/Local Policy, Healthy Snacks & Beverages, Cafeteria a la Carte Lines
Bag the Junk knows that snacks and drinks that are sold in schools can often be a troubling source of sugar, fat, calories and sodium for kids.
Each state sets its own nutrition standards for what’s sold in schools – and a new interactive tool from Bridging the Gap allows parents and educators to explore extensive data about state standards for school snack foods and beverages.
The data shows that there are the fewest number of state laws guiding schools on foods sold at evening events, such as basketball or football games. Fast food options are often found at these types of school events – but an array of nutritious choices is frequently absent. Based on the most recently collected data, only West Virginia has enacted a law governing the sale of unhealthy snack foods at school events.
Bridging the Gap’s tool also highlights national data about kids’ access to snack foods. For instance, 33% of high school students could buy french fries from snack venues in 2010-11, and 91% of high school students had access to vending machines on campus.
How does your state stack up? Does your state have strong laws in place ensuring kids have access to healthier snack choices at school? Let us know in the comments below!