Restrict or limit the sale of foods and beverages outside of the school meal program in order to promote good dietary practices. Decisions about the sale of competitive foods on campus should be based upon nutritional considerations, not solely on potential for profit.

Access to foods that provide little nutritive value undermines schools' nutrition education efforts and the health and educational benefits of school meal programs.

Places where foods and beverages are sold on school grounds often include the cafeteria, vending machines, snack bars, school stores, concession stands, fund-raising activities, meetings, and celebrations.

Appropriate limitations or even restrictions of food sold outside the school meal program in elementary schools are needed because young children sometimes lack the maturity to make healthy and safe food choices. In secondary schools, limit the sale of foods and beverages outside the school meals program until 30 minutes after the last lunch period. Whole grain foods, fruits, vegetables, water, 100% fruit juice, and milk (low-fat or non-fat; plain or flavored) are examples of foods to favor over those with poorer nutritional content. However, all food purchases outside a school's meal program may have the potential to decrease participation in the program, stigmatize the school meal program as designed for students from low-income families and, therefore, place a school's meal program in jeopardy.

American Dietetic Association. Local support for nutrition integrity in schools -- Position of the American Dietetic Association. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000;100:108-111.

Bogden JF. Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: A School Health Policy Guide. Part I: Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, and Tobacco Use Prevention. Alexandria, VA: National Association of State Boards of Education; 2000.

Caldwell D, Nestle M, Rogers W. School nutrition services. In Marx E, Wooley SF, eds: Health is Academic: A Guide to Coordinated School Health Programs. New York, NY: Teachers College Press, 1998: 195-223.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for school health programs to promote lifelong healthy eating. MMWR. 1996;45(RR-9):1-41.

Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D. Competitive foods in schools: issues, trends, and future directions. Topics in Clinical Nutrition. 1999;15:37-46.

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US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Information Center. Food Guide Pyramid. Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture; 1997.

US Department of Agriculture. Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2000. 5th ed. Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture; 2000.

US Food and Nutrition Service. Changing the Scene: Improving the School Nutrition Environment. A Guide to Local Action. Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture; 2000.