State Legislation and Policy Reports

Every school nutrition program is different because despite the baseline of federal requirements, each must navigate the state and local policies as well. By providing timely information on current legislation, as well as looking at future trends, SNA gives its membership the tools necessary to advocate for improved policies and regulation. SNA also regularly provides summary reports on current policies across the United States including mandates for participation in school meal programs, if a state provides an additional funding and the form it takes, and if a state implements additional nutritional standards outside those set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

View the 2017 State Legislative Calendar (pdf)

Legislation Reports

SNA now provides a quarterly report of state legislation. The report takes a look at the key issues trending across the country and provides the latest updates on the status of each bill.

View the 2017 Second Quarter State Legislative Report (January-July)  (pdf) 

Meal Mandates/Reimbursement Rates

SNA provides a report that is a comprehensive summary of each State’s mandates and financial support with an additional chart for brief reference. Many states provide additional reimbursement on top of the matching requirement, which can range from per meal reimbursements, to salary support, to general funds to assist with program operations. It is up to each state if participation in these programs is optional or mandated.

View the 2016-17 School Meal Mandates and Reimbursements Across the U.S.

Smart Snacks/Competitive Foods Policies

On July 29, USDA released the Final Rule on All Foods Sold in Schools as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This rule governs the sale of all foods sold outside the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and is often called “competitive foods.” These include food and beverage sold as a la carte items, in vending machines, in school stores, and other mechanisms that involve the exchange of money for a food item. The Final Rule does allow each state to set a separate policy that can allow for the infrequent school-sponsored fundraisers that do not meet the nutrition standards. If a state does not set a policy, it defaults to zero exemptions which means that all fundraisers during the school day must meet the Smart Snacks Standards.

SNA prepared a report on the states’ policies including the number of exemptions and policies governing the length and time of each fundraiser.

• Smart Snacks Fundraising Exemption (pdf)  
• Smarts Snacks Fundraising Map

View the 2013-14 Competitive Foods Guidelines by State report (pdf)