Dear Waynesboro Area School District Families:

On December 13, 2010, President Obama signed into law Public Law 111-296, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). This historic legislation marked the most comprehensive changes to the school nutrition environment in more than a generation. The last update to school meals standards was over 15 years ago. Since that time, tremendous advancements in our understanding of human nutrition have occurred. In response to that reality, the HHFKA required USDA to update school meal nutrition standards to reflect the most current dietary science.

In general, the final standards make the following changes:

• Ensuring students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week;

• Substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods;

• Offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties;

• Limiting calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size; and

• Increasing the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.

• Meal Pattern Requirements

Beginning July 1, 2014, all School Nutrition Programs (SNP) sponsors must implement the new federal standards for competitive foods offered for sale to students outside of the school meals. These new standards are commonly referred to as Smart Snacks in School and apply to all foods and beverages sold to students: outside of the school meals programs; on the school campus; and, at any time during the school day. For purposes of defining competitive foods, the school campus means all areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students during the school day. The school day is defined as the period from the midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. Competitive foods include foods and beverages sold to students a la carte, in vending machines, at in-school fundraisers like bake sales, and in school stores.

We are always working to offer Waynesboro Area School District students healthier and tastier choices. School meals are a great value and a huge convenience for busy families too! We look forward to welcoming your child to their cafeteria this fall.

Please remember that a new Free/Reduced Application must be filled out each school year. Applications can be fill out online at School Cafe.com.

Thank you!

Ruth Helman
Food Service Supervisor