School district implements smart-snack program

Blackfoot School District No. 55 said it has received mixed emotions from parents and students since it swapped junk food for healthier snack options.

“Two years ago we started with healthier lunches and now we are doing phase II with the smart-snack program,” said Child Nutrition Supervisor Laurel Brummond.

The federal government is encouraging schools to provide healthier options under the Health and Hunger Free Act of 2010. Not only do lunches have to offer whole grains, protein, fruits and vegetables, but snacks also have to follow federal guidelines.

According to federal guidelines, snack products have to be whole grain or the first ingredient has to be fruit, vegetables, dairy or protein. They also have to contain 10 percent of the daily value of a nutrient of public concern. This includes dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin D, or potassium.

“When we changed to the new lunch program, we kind of had an uproar and this is probably the same thing,” said Brummond. “Once people get used to it, they’ll see that all we are interested in is feeding our kids healthy, good food when they are at school.”

The district said students are taking it in stride. It said the biggest challenge comes from Blackfoot High School since fundraisers fund many of the extracurricular events.

“I really do like the intent, because there is an obesity problem in America and targeting the schools really will help. However, I think the standards and the restrictions are very unreasonable,” said high school senior Sam Johnson. “This affects a lot of programs that I don’t think they (the federal government) took into account.”

The school’s “We The People” Program usually sells homemade cookies and muffins, and in other years cookie dough, but under the new guidelines the team is not allowed to sell these products during school hours. The district estimates those fundraiser profits at more than $6,000 every year. The school district was able to find an alternative, allowing the team to sell smoothies instead.

The smart-snack restrictions are in effect from midnight until an hour after school ends. This means schools are still allowed to sell traditional snacks during school sport activities. The district also added that lunches and snacks brought from home and anything not for sale is exempt from the guidelines.