Questions and Answers on the Nutrition Standards of the Wellness Policy

The purpose of this Q and A is to provide practical guidance on implementing the section of the District Wellness policy related to nutrition standards (Section III). All of the supporting documents listed can be found on the district intranet at http://dww.madison.k12.wi.us/supt/handbook/default.htm (accessible only on the MMSD network).

What happened to the recommendations for a comprehensive food policy that were discussed and presented to the Board last spring?
They became part of the district wellness policy (4610) adopted by the Board on July 17, 2006. Section III of the policy includes specific district nutrition standards.

For Students

What will happen with current beverage vending machines?
There will be no vending machine sales in elementary or middle schools. Beverage vending is allowed in high school. The approved list of beverages will be developed annually by the district Wellness Committee. The list will be consistent with the Healthy School Beverages Guidelines and will allow milk, water, 100% fruit juice and some sports drinks.
Will caffeinated beverages be allowed?
At this point in time, the district is using interim guidelines for beverage vending until the approved list is developed and a final RFP is made available to vendors. This is expected by January 2007. All soda has been removed from vending machines.
Will soft drinks and "diet" soft drinks be allowed to be sold at school?
These will not be allowed in vending machines or school stores.
Will beverages that contain sugar be allowed to be sold in school stores or vending machines?
Ultimately, approved beverages must meet the guidelines in the Healthy School Beverages Guidelines. This will affect the amount of added sugar (if any) that will be allowed in beverages.
What is the serving size for beverages that will be allowed in school stores or vending machines?
These will be consistent with the Healthy School Beverages Guidelines. Other than water, portion sizes are limited to 12 oz. for high school students. Manufacturers are re-tooling their production facilities and vending machines to provide beverages for schools in the appropriate sized containers. Initially, there may be containers that exceed the allowed portion sizes.
Will there be vending machine, school store or cart sales of snack foods?
There will be no vending machines allowed in elementary and middle school. High school snack vending, school store and cart sales (including carts in elementary or middle schools) will be limited to items on an approved list developed annually by the Wellness Committee. All candy in vending machines has been removed. Snack foods that were in vending machines have been removed until the approved lists are completed.
Can candy be distributed in the classroom?
No foods will used as a reward, a manipulative, or in activities that involve students handling and eating food—this includes candy. Specific foods used in science projects are exempt from this regulation (e.g. science lesson that demonstrates the number of calories in a specific food item.)
Can candy be sold in vending machines, school stores or classrooms?
Items sold to students in vending machines or school stores must be on the approved list. Candy will not be one of the items on this list. Candy may not be sold in classrooms.
Can candy be sold for fundraising?
Candy will be permitted as a fundraiser during the 2006-07 school year. However, sale to students during the school day on school grounds is NOT permitted. After September 1, 2008, candy will not be offered for sale as part of any school related activity at elementary and middle schools.
Can teachers, other school staff or volunteers sell food or beverages to students?
No.
When can school stores sell food or drinks to students and what can they sell?
School stores cannot sell food items to students during the time that Food Services is serving meals. A list of approved items that can be sold in school stores will be developed annually by the district Wellness Committee. For the 2006-07 school year, school stores can sell items that are already on hand today and until stores are depleted. No additional candy or soda may be ordered. The lists of approved snack and beverage items will be available by the end of September 2006.
Can students bring soda, other non-approved beverages or candy in their lunches or to be consumed at school?
Yes. A goal of the policy is that as students learn about healthy nutrition, they will bring healthy beverages and lunches to school; however the guidelines do not limit what students can bring to school. Students cannot bring soda or candy to be sold to other students or for consumption at a classroom party or celebration.
Will there be any changes in the meals served by Food Services?
The district is committed to limiting foods with minimal nutritional value, restricting fat and sugar, and increasing fruit, vegetable and whole grain offerings. A la carte items for sale will have a decreasing amount of fat from calories over the next 2 years. No more than 40% of calories can come from fat and no more than 10% from saturated fat by January 2007. This decreases to 35% and 10% by September 2007 and 30% and 10% by September 2008.
Will the amount of time allowed for school breakfast or lunch change?
Students must have at least 10 minutes to eat breakfast and at least a 30 minute lunch break. This is not a change from current practice.
Can birthday parties or other celebrations be held?
These celebrations are allowed. All school staff are encouraged to consolidate celebrations that include food and to consider non-food activities for celebrations.
Can students eat snacks in their classrooms?
Yes, snacks can be consumed in the classroom if permitted by the classroom teacher. Parents are asked to use the list of recommended snack items if they are sending snacks for the entire class. Snacks must be eaten at a desk or table. Students must clean up after themselves.
Are there any limits on peanuts and other nut products?
Yes. Food Services will not serve foods containing peanuts or nut products in elementary schools. Student projects prepared at school shall be peanut and nut free as well as not including edible seeds. Students may still bring peanut butter sandwiches or other peanut or nut items in their personal lunches. The list of snack items for elementary classrooms will not include any items that contain peanuts or nuts.
Are there any guidelines for promoting safe food preparation for foods prepared or served outside of Food Services?
Yes, Guidelines ("MMSD Guidelines for Safe Food Handling, Parties and Celebrations at School") were developed to support the Board policy. These guidelines give more specific information about foods prepared at home to be served at school. They apply to school and MSCR programs for the 2006-07 school year and are subject to revision annually. Additionally, the School Potluck Food Safety brochure provides information on safe food preparation, storage and serving.
Can schools still hold special events that involve food (pot lucks, food fairs, cultural nights)?
Yes, foods for these events should be prepared observing the guidelines in the School Potluck Food Safety brochure. The foods shall NOT contain peanuts or nuts and shall indicate whether the item contains one of the other ingredients listed below that account for 90% of all food allergy reactions in children. These ingredients are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy. Any events that are open to the public or sell food are subject to additional regulation. If your event is a fundraiser and people outside of the school community (students and their parents) are being invited, a Temporary License is required by the Health Department. See the next section on pot lucks.
What about pot lucks?
Wisconsin has a specific state law that exempts certain groups from the regulations on pot lucks. The list of groups that are exempt includes parent teacher organizations but does not include schools. If you are holding a large pot luck, consult with the Public Health Department (266-4821) before holding the event to see if a permit is needed.
Can ice cream be sold to students?
Yes, frozen snacks including ice cream, ice milk, frozen yogurt, or frozen juice bars may be sold to students as long as they meet the standards defined in the nutrition guidelines section on a la carte foods. (For January 2007, this means that less than 40% of calories can come from fat). Frozen snacks may only be sold after lunch. No candy may be sold.
Can schools continue to hold Friday popcorn sales?
Yes, with similar guidelines to those listed in number 22. The popcorn sale must be held after lunch. The percent of calories from fat must be consistent with the nutrition guidelines.
Do after school and summer programs have to follow these guidelines?
Those programs run by MSCR will observe the guidelines in section III of the Wellness Policy. The policy does not apply to other groups who run after school or summer programs in our buildings.
What food can be consumed on field trips?
The guidelines in section III apply only when MMSD Food Services provides the food.
What about food served at school dances, to celebrate holidays or end of season events held in MSCR after school and evening programs?
The nutrition guidelines apply only when MMSD Food Services provides the food. Schools are strongly encouraged to consider healthier options when planning food for school dances; however they may continue to order and sell pizza and soda during dances, end of season events or reward parties. Schools and MSCR must make available other approved beverage options during these events (including water and 100% juice).

Back to School Nights and holidays (e.g. Valentine's Day, which has traditionally been celebrated with students exchanging cards and candy) may continue, though candy may not be distributed at school. Food items provided by parents at these events should follow the food preparation guidelines as set forth in the MMSD Guidelines for Safe Food Handling, Parties and Celebrations at School. Teachers and staff are encouraged to utilize MMSD Food Service to provide food for these events.
Does the Wellness Policy affect food items sold through fundraisers?
Yes. The Wellness Policy eliminates the sale of candy as a fundraiser. During the 2006-07 school year, candy cannot be sold to students during the school year but it can still be sold for fundraising (e.g. sold to people outside of school). Effective 9/1/2008, candy cannot be sold in any school fundraising activity in elementary and middle school but is still permitted to be sold through high school fundraising. However, candy sales are NOT permitted in school.
Does the Wellness Policy affect food items made as part of a classroom activity (e.g. in a food lab or independent living class)?
Yes. First, preparing and serving food in classrooms other than Family and Consumer Education classes is permitted only when directly related to the curriculum. Additionally, any food prepared for or distributed to students during the school day outside of the MMSD Food Services Program cannot be in contradiction to the MMSD Guidelines for Safe Food Handling, Parties and Celebrations at School. So food prepared in classrooms:
(a) must meet the nutritional guidelines in the section on a la carte foods
(b) must be prepared in accordance with the School Potluck Food Safety brochure.
(c) cannot contain peanuts or tree nuts.
(d) must have an ingredient checklist noting whether the item contains milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat or soy.
Can food still be sold as a fundraiser?
Yes. The Wellness Policy does not limit the sales of food items, other than candy, for fundraising.
Can schools hold bake sales? If yes, do the items sold need to be prepackaged commercially?
Yes, schools can still hold bake sales. Items can be home baked and do not need to be commercially prepackaged. All school staff should note the following when planning bake sales from which students will be permitted to purchase items:
(a) students should not be allowed to purchase items from bake sales before lunch.
(b) bake sales should be infrequent events in schools.
(c) as much as possible, bake sales should attempt to offer healthier items in keeping with the goals of the Wellness Policy.
(d) food items prepared at home and sold at bake sales cannot include peanuts or tree nuts and must include a checklist noting whether the food item contains milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat or soy.
(e) bake sales items prepared at home should be prepared in accordance with the School Potluck Food Safety brochure.
Can staff give students sugarless gum, not necessarily as a reward but just because?
The Wellness Policy section on food does not specifically address gum.
What implications does the Wellness Policy have on curriculum when teaching units such as baking or cake decorating?
None. See #28 above.
Can staff "give" food to students as a reward? Teachers with special students, such as in NEON, use food as rewards for points earned for positive behavior. They would use food that follows the Wellness Policy.
To be determined.
Is it okay to use dried food items such as rice, cornmeal, dried beans in sensory tables as well using dried pasta and other items to make necklaces and other student projects?
Yes. The intent of the policy is that projects wouldn't be done with food that is intended to be consumed and that manipulatives that are intended to be eaten (eg. M& Ms) would not be used.
It is okay for school clubs to sell candy through the Booster Club booths?
Yes.
Is it okay for school clubs to sell candy at a stand on school grounds during Saturday youth football or soccer games?
Yes
Is it okay for high school clubs to sell candy for fund raising after Sept. 1, 2008?
Yes.
Will Booster Clubs be able to sell candy as part of their fund raising efforts after Sept. 1, 2008?
Yes

For Staff

Is there someone in the school who monitors the food section of the Wellness Policy?
Overall, the building principal is responsible for ensuring that Board policies (including the Wellness Policy) are observed.
Do any of the restrictions affect vending sales to staff?
No, vending machines in staff lounges may still be stocked with soda and diet soda. However, the district Wellness Committee encourages school staffs to consider adding more healthy options to their vending machine choices. Vending machines in buildings that are accessible to students, such as at MSCR/Hoyt, will have to comply with the Wellness Policy on vending.
Do treats for staff have to follow the Wellness Policy?
No, staff may eat whatever they choose.

If you have further questions about specific situations, please send an email to Lucy Chaffin at lchaffin@madison.k12.wi.us. The Wellness Committee will review the questions and post answers on the website.

Return to the Wellness Policy Home Page