Newark

The Newark Public School, recognizes that child and adolescent obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States and that poor diet combined with the lack of physical activity negatively impacts on students’ health, and their ability and motivation to learn.

The Newark Public Schools is committed to:

• Providing students with healthy and nutritious foods.
• Encouraging the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat milk and whole grains.
• Encouraging students to select and consume all components of the school meal.
• Supporting healthy eating through nutrition education.
• Providing students with the opportunity to engage in daily physical activity.
• Students shall have adequate time to eat, relax and socialize at least 10 minutes after sitting down for breakfast and 20 minutes after sitting down for lunch.

Adequate time shall be allowed for student meal service and consumption. Schools shall provide a pleasant dining environment. The District recommends that physical education or recess be scheduled before lunch whenever possible.

This school district’s curriculum shall incorporate nutrition education and physical activity consistent with the New Jersey Department of Education Core Curriculum Standards.

The Newark Public Schools is committed to promoting the Nutrition Policy with all food service personnel, teachers, nurses, coaches and other school administrative staff so they have the skills they need to implement this policy among students, parents, teachers and community at large.

All reimbursable meals shall meet Federal Nutrient Standards as required by the United States Department of Agriculture, Child Nutrition Program regulations. All items served as part of the After School Snack Program shall meet the standards as outlined within this policy.

The following items may not be served, sold or given out as free promotion anywhere on school property at anytime before the end of the school day:

• Foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) as defined by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations;
• All foods and beverage items listing sugar, in any form, as the first ingredient; and
• All forms of candy.

Schools shall reduce the purchase of any products containing trans fats. (Federal labeling of trans fats on all food products is required by January 1, 2006).

All snack and beverage items sold or served anywhere on school property during the school day, including items sold in a la carte lines, vending machines, snack bars, school stores and fundraisers or served in the reimbursable After School Snack Program, shall meet the following standards:

1. Based on manufacturers nutritional data or nutrient facts labels:
   • No more than eight grams of total fat per serving, with the exception of nuts and seeds.
   • No more than 2 grams of saturated fat per serving.
2. All beverages shall not exceed 12 ounces, with the following exceptions:
   • Water
   • Milk containing 1% percent or less fat.
3. Whole milk shall not exceed eight ounces.

In Elementary Schools:

• 100 % of all beverages offered shall be milk, water or 100% fruit or vegetable juices.

In Middle and High Schools:

• At least 60% of all beverages offered, other than milk and water, shall be 100% fruit or vegetable juice.
• No more than 40% of all ice cream/frozen desserts shall be allowed to exceed the above standards for sugar, fat and saturated fat.