SMMUSD Embargoes Pizza Slices, Chicken Sandwiches and Burritos

As of the beginning of 2017, junk snacks are history at Santa Monica schools. SMMUSD will also ban Pizza slices, Chicken Sandwiches and Burritos, unless they are part of a lunch with several items.

The new standards are intended to comply with updated health standards published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), says SMMUSD. USDA has issued new standards focus on snack foods and beverages sold to children during the school day at school "snack bars."

"The new "Smart Snacks Standards," means that you can count on your student making healthy choices for snacks and beverages purchased from the ala carte cart, school stores and vending machines. It also means that your student may no longer see some of his or her favorite snack items such as some chips, beverages, corn nuts and other snacks that do not meet nutrient requirements due to calorie, sodium, fat and sugar limits," writes Liz Powell Director, Nutrition and Food Services at the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District.

"Pizza slices, chicken sandwiches and burritos will no longer be available ala carte in our middle and high schools," writes Powell. "These items will still be offered as part of the full lunch meal, and do meet specific lunch standards that include several items."

"Over the past year, SMMUSD has made notable changes to the daily lunch offerings to include more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. With the launch of the Smart Snacks program this week we can ensure that kids are offered tasty and nutritious foods during the school day, both in the cafeteria and at snack bars."

"We continue to seek out and add new items to our menus on a regular basis to ensure that your students have access to healthy and nutritious foods that are tasty, too!"

"The standards are different for elementary, secondary and high school and can be found on this website, along with additional information: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/tn/USDASmartSnacks.pdf