Sugary Snacks Compete with Healthy Snacks at Schools

In this three-part series, we explore what competitive foods are, the impact they have on kids’ health and what schools can do to ensure all food choices are healthy choices for students. Follow the conversation and learn how to #BagTheJunk on Twitter.

When we think about our kids consuming food at school, typically breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria come to mind first.  But many students nationwide have access to additional food and drink options beyond what’s offered through traditional school meal programs. Sugary snacks and drinks hide in vending machines, cafeteria a la carte lines, school stores and fundraisers like bake sales. These often unhealthy options compete with the healthier meals served by cafeteria staff. The presence of competitive foods is distracting and problematic as schools and families try to teach kids healthy eating habits.

Here are four key facts you need to know about competitive foods:

1. Research shows that nearly half of U.S. elementary school students can buy competitive foods or unhealthy snacks like cookies, cakes and baked goods at school. Are competitive foods available at your school? Take a look at what’s sold in vending machines, at sporting events, and in school fundraisers.
2. Middle schools and high schools tend to offer more competitive foods than elementary schools. Many secondary schools have contracts with fast food vendors like Taco Bell, McDonalds and Domino’s Pizza that sell unhealthy dishes in the cafeteria alongside the more nutritious options from federally-funded meal programs.
3. The 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act authorized an update to the national nutrition standards for competitive foods. This is progress, but several types of beverages and food venues fell through the cracks, like sports drinks, caffeine and school fundraisers.
4. State and local authorities can adopt additional nutrition standards to improve the quality of snack foods and beverages sold in school. Schools do have options to limit these competitive foods. Stay tuned for the third blog post in our series to learn what steps other schools across the country are taking to ensure all on-site food and beverages are healthy.

More resources for understanding competitive foods:

• Read our full policy brief on improving competitive food policy to create healthier and smarter school environments.
• Take a closer look at the new “Smart Snacks in School” nutrition standards for competitive foods and beverages.
• Check out the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s complete guide to school snacks.

In our next post, we examine how competitive foods affect kid’s health and ability to learn in school.

Follow the conversation about competitive foods with #BagTheJunk on Twitter. Like our Facebook page to learn more on how to “bag the junk” at your school.