FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

How is a "school day" defined?

The school day is defined as beginning with the start of the first breakfast period until the end of the last instruction period of the day (last bell). School activities, athletic functions, etc. that occur after the normal school day are not covered by this policy. If a school operates the federally-funded After School Snack Program, the policy will be in effect until this concludes for the day.

Which school-level policy should K-12 schools follow?

K-12 schools may follow the policy requirements designated for middle school and junior high schools.

Does this policy prohibit school teachers from using competitive foods as an instructional tool in the classroom?

School teachers may use food for instructional purposes as long as the food items are not considered FMNVs or candy.  

Do these nutrition standards apply to fundraising?

For middle school and high school campuses, the nutrition standards will apply to food fundraising during the school day. No food fundraising will be allowed on an elementary school campus during the school day. TDA has developed a list of ideas for non-food fundraising available at www.squaremeals.org. Go to the "For Schools" link.  

For more FAQs, go to www.squaremeals.org and click on the link to TDA's "Food and Nutrition Division."
For answers to additional questions, e-mail TDA at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
This information was compiled in June 2004. For the most current policy updates, go to www.squaremeals.org.

Texas Public School
Nutrition Policy at a Glance

FMNVs Not allowed at any time during the school day.

(Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value) (certain exemptions are allowed for school nurses, students with special needs and up to three schoolwide events pre-approved by campus officials)

CANDY Not allowed at any time during the school day. (including candy bars and packaged candies (certain exemptions are allowed for students with special needs and up not included as FMNVs) to three schoolwide events pre-approved by campus officials)

COMPETITIVE FOODS Not allowed at any time during the school day. (all food and beverages that are not provided (see exemptions listed on the back page of this brochure) by school food service)

FRENCH FRIES AND FRIED May not exceed 3 oz. servings, may only be served POTATO PRODUCTS once a week, and may only be purchased one serv(except chips-see Portion Chart) ing at a time.

CARBONATED BEVERAGES                                          Not allowed at any time during the school day.
PORTION SIZES                                                               See Portion Chart (below)
DEEP-FAT FRYING                                                           For elementary, middle and high schools
FATS                                                                                  For elementary, middle and high schools
TRANS FATS                                                                    For elementary, middle and high schools
MILK                                                                                   For elementary, middle and high schools
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES                                            For elementary, middle and high schools
FRUIT/VEGETABLE JUICES                                           For elementary schools only
FOOD OR BEVERAGE                                                     For elementary, middle and high schools

Chips (regular)                                                                1 ounce

Chips (baked), crackers, popcorn, cereal, trail 1.5 ounces mix, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, jerky, pretzels

Cookies/cereal bars                                                       2 ounces

Bakery items (e.g., pastries, muffins) 3 ounces

Frozen desserts, ice cream, pudding, Jello 4 ounces

Yogurt                                                                                8 ounces

Whole milk, flavored or unflavored                               8 ounces

Reduced fat milk, flavored or unflavored 16 ounces

Beverages other than milk and those restricted 12 ounces
as FMNVs (no limit on water) (FMNV-restricted beverages not allowed during the school day.)

Candy bars and packaged candies                            Not allowed during the school day. (certain exemptions are allowed for students with special needs and up to three schoolwide events pre-approved by campus officials)

Frozen fruit slushes (must contain at least 6 ounces 50 percent fruit juice)

Not allowed until after the last lunch period.

Not allowed during meal periods in areas where

(certain exemptions are allowed for school nurses, students with special

reimbursable meals are served and consumed.

needs and up to three schoolwide events pre-approved by campus officials)

Not allowed until after the last lunch period. Allowed.
(certain exemptions are allowed for students with special needs and up
to three schoolwide events pre-approved by campus officials)

Not allowed during meal periods. Not allowed during meal periods in areas where reimbursable meals are served and consumed.

May not exceed 3 oz. servings, may only be served May not exceed 3 oz. servings and may only be
three times a week, and may only be purchased one purchased one serving at a time.
serving at a time.

Food items containing more than 28 grams of fat per serving size cannot be served more than twice per week (2006-07 school year goal: reduce limit to 23 grams).

By 2005-06 school year, schools should include a request for trans fat information in all product specifications. By 2007-08, schools should reduce the purchase of products containing trans fats.

Must offer 2 percent, 1 percent or skim milk at all points where milk is served. Flavored milk cannot contain more than 30 grams of sugar per 8 oz. serving.

Should be offered daily on all points of service, preferably fresh.

By the beginning of 2006-07 school year, all beverages served in elementary schools will be milk, unflavored water and 100 percent fruit and/or vegetable juices.

Not allowed until after the last lunch period.                             Sugared, carbonated beverages cannot be sold in containers larger than 12 oz. and are not allowed during meal periods in areas where reimbursable meals are served and consumed. By 2005-06 school year: no more than 30 percent of beverages in vending machines should be sugared, carbonated drinks.

See Portion Chart (below)                                                             See Portion Chart (below)

Should be eliminated as a method of preparation as soon as possible. Refer to target dates in full policy.
The maximum portion size restrictions below apply to all food and beverages served or made available to students with the exception of school meals, which are governed by USDA regulations.