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School Snacks and Nutrition Promotion

Smart Snacks Guidelines

USDA's Smart Snacks in School guidelines, which went into effect July 1, 2014, require all food and beverages sold, served and/or distributed to students, such as food on snack carts, a la carte lines, in the classrooms, and through fundraisers need to meet the USDA nutrition requirements, Smart Snack guidelines and state laws. Click here to visit the Minnesota Department of Education Smart Snack guidelines information website for more information. A updated guide is also available with suggestions and resources.

The district's Smart Snacks Shopping List, in the list to the right, offers suggested items available at the Brooklyn Center Cub Foods, as well as other grocery store locations. The list is not comprehensive, but a sampling of various items that meet Smart Snack standards. To check the compliance of other products, please use the Alliance For A Healthier Generation's Smart Snack calculator or contact Michelle Auld, Wellbeing Specialist, at mauld@bccs286.org.

Note that BCCS district requests no soda at events, meetings, or group gatherings.

Rewards and Incentives

Research indicates that using "treats" to incentivize or reward students has negative consequences. The District 286 Wellness Policy #533 states, "Staff will not use edible items as rewards for academic performance or good behavior. Rewards and incentives will not include edible items (including but not limited to candy, mints, snacks and beverages). Staff will not withhold food or beverages as punishment or as leverage with a student."
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has found that, "...the best policy is not to use food to reward children for good behavior or academic performance." The resources provided are intended to generate ideas, as not all the suggestions are aligned with procedures in the various Brooklyn Center Community School District buildings. Consult with school administration or email mauld@bccs286.org if you are unsure if a suggestion aligns with the building practices.
Offering movement opportunities as a reward or incentive is an option, when appropriate for the student.

Nutrition Education Support

Learn about the Ingredient Guide for Better School Food Purchasing project with LifeTime Foundation and Chef Ann Foundation and explore the full information in the national guide at the button below and on the website. 

Ingredient Guide 2023

BCCS Wellness programs include nutrition education and cooking instruction. We are proud to partner with local, BIPOC-owned small businesses to help promote culturally-diverse nutrition information and global foods. These opportunities are available at various school events throughout the year. 

 

Farm to School

Farm to School enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers through food purchasing and nutrition education practices at schools.
At BCCS, our Farm to School program focuses on three areas:

  • Cafeteria: Seasonal, Minnesota grown foods served in our school meals

  • Classroom: We partner with Gale Woods Farm to provide food and nutrition education in classrooms and in our school gardens 

  • Community: We help strengthen the local economy by purchasing locally and supporting MN farmers. Students learn about food and agriculture through time in the school gardens and field trips to local farms.

Healthy Meal Initiatives

BCCS implements healthy meal initiatives, including taste tests and cafeteria nutrition education activities. Follow the district newsletters to keep current with the taste test dates. 
The recipes tested in the cafeteria which receive positive student reviews typically are added to the monthly lunch menus. Find the monthly lunch menus on the Nutrition Services webpage. 
Nutrition education lessons and activities are also available for classes and student groups through the Wellbeing Specialist. Email mauld@bccs286.org for more information. 

Brooklyn Center Community Schools' Nutrition Services staff are encouraged to practice Smarter Lunchroom Strategies during the lunch programs. The practices encourage students to choose more of the less-processed foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruit options.