Competitive Foods Fundraising Guidelines

All Schools shall ensure that food and beverage fundraisers, at a minimum, meet the requirements as outlined in the Nutrition Standards for All Food Sold in Schools as required by the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (see Form EEE-2):

  1. Competitive food is defined as all food and beverages other than meals reimbursed under programs authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 available for sale to students on the school campus during the school day. Competitive foods include, but are not limited to, foods sold in vending machines, snack bars, student stores, a la carte, at school activities, fundraisers and other venues during the school day which is defined as 12:00 a.m. until 30 minutes after the official end of the school day.
  2. A Competitive Food Fundraiser is defined as an event that includes any activity during which currency, tokens, tickets, etc. are exchanged for the sale/purchase of a product in support of the school or school-related activities. This includes giving away food but suggesting a donation, since funds may be raised as a result.
  3. All foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snack Standards may be sold at anytime and anywhere on the school campus. (Exception: not to be sold in cafeteria during meal serving periods.)
  4. Each organization, program, or entity is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all required documented including food labels of products and receipts for the fundraiser.
  5. The standards do not apply to fundraisers in which the food or beverage is clearly not for consumption on the school campus during the school day
  6. Per the State Board of Education (SBOE) guidelines, an infrequent number of exemptions for school-sponsored fundraisers that do not meet the nutrition standards may be approved. The SBOE has set the number of exempted fundraisers to no more than 30 per school per year.
    1. The number applies to all organizations, programs or entities selling foods to students on the school campus during the school day.
    2. Each exempted fundraiser may operate no more than 3 days. This includes all exempted fundraising activities such as sale of and delivery of items.
    3. No exempted fundraiser may operate 30 minutes prior to meal service until 30 minutes after meal service is completed anywhere on school campus
    4. Exempted fundraisers cannot be in vending machines, school stores, snack bars or a la carte sales. Fundraisers occurring in these venues must meet the Smart Snacks standards.
    5. Exempted fundraisers are to be approved by the Superintendent or designee(s). The Superintendent or designee(s) will use the Exempt Fundraiser Tracking Sheet to document approved fundraisers for each school.