February 15, 2018 at 6:15 PM - Board of Education Resource Management & Business Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale: 

Bethel Public Schools has participated in the CT State Department of Education Healthy Food Certification Program for many years.  By participating, Bethel can only serve snacks and a la carte items that specifically have been approved by the CSDE Bureau of Health & Nutrition.  Each year we report to the CSDE each and every a la carte/snack item that we serve in our schools and it is checked against the approved list.  The CSDE has been pleased with our adherence to the law.

For participation the District receives an additional 10 cents reimbursement from the State on each meal served.  This is important as with the choices of snack items limited, the revenue has dipped. The additional 10 cents has kept us on track.

The BOE chose to renew its participation in this program for the 2017-2018 school year at their April 2017 meeting, however as CT State Department of Education requirements for the Healthy Foods Program have expanded, we would like to amend the original motion to clarify that both food and beverages are covered by this motion to renew participation in the HFC program and that both food and beverages are included in the exemption of items sold at after school events.