The Healthy Food Certification (HFC) statute (C.G.S. Section 10-215f) requires that each local board of education or governing authority (BOE) for public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) each year must certify whether all food items sold to students (separately from reimbursable meals) will or will not meet the Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CNS). There is a required BOE motion language  for the HFC application process for school year (SY) 2022-23. HFC Eligibility Requirements for BOEs opting to implement HFC must complete a vote on the required motion language or the BOE will not be eligible for HFC during SY 2022-23 (July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023).

The state food items and beverage requirements (C.G.S. Section 10-221q) apply to all public schools, regardless of whether the district participates in the NSLP or certifies for the healthy food option of HFC. If the BOE does not have a food and beverage exemption in place, the BOE’s schools can never sell noncompliant food items or beverages to students. If the BOE chooses to allow food and beverage exemptions, the motion and board-approved meeting minutes must include a second motion.