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Schools Ditch Junk Food for Healthier Options

As new standards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Smart Snacks in Schools program go into effect, student-managed stores are discovering that replacing junk food with healthier options is easier than expected.

by John Reynolds

The Summer Food Program began Monday, June 7, 2010. This meal, served at the Austin Boys and Girls Club South, consisted of a half-pint of milk, a ham sandwich on wheat bread with mustard, celery and an assorted fruit cup.
Credit: Spencer Selvidge

As new standards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Smart Snacks in Schools program go into effect, student-managed stores are discovering that replacing junk food with healthier options is easier than expected. Choices such as whole-grain pretzels and bagels, baked chips and low-calorie drinks strike a balance between meeting federal guidelines and appealing to students. (The Associated Press)

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John Reynolds’s staff photo