The District of Columbia led the nation in embracing healthy foods and beverages in schools by setting state-side standards for nearly all foods and beverages available on school campuses through the DC Healthy Schools Act of 2010 (HSA) and United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC)  program at the Gold Award Level for competitive foods.   In addition to these requirements, the District has adopted the USDA’s Smart Snacks Standards which provide nutritional guidelines for all foods and beverages made available in schools through vending machines, school stores, fundraisers, snacks, prizes and rewards for students, after-school meals, and other means.

To find out whether a food or beverage item is compliant, use the Smart Snacks Calculator  to enter the product’s information from the Nutrition Facts panel.  To see a list food and beverage items already determined to meet the Smart Snacks standards, use the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Alliance Product Navigator.