Newswise — The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) school nutrition standards interim final rule for snack foods and beverages sold in school vending machines, stores and à la carte lines. The standards are scheduled to go into effect at the beginning of the 2014-15 school year.

SNEB applauds USDA’s efforts to ensure healthier snacks and drinks are accessible to all students, in all schools, across the nation. These revised standards will help support a holistic approach to health and wellness in the school-setting – from nutrition education in the classroom and cafeteria to now healthy school snacks and drinks.

“These standards will help align wellness efforts across the cafeteria and school campus, and address the critical issue of childhood obesity impacting too many children today,” said SNEB President Linda Drake, MS.

As schools will have a year to put these revisions into place, SNEB is on tap to work with schools, community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure the changes are seamless. “We will be coordinating with our membership and networks to provide the tools and resources schools need to make this transition as easy as possible,” Drake reinforced.

She noted, “Many schools and districts across the nation have already made nutrition updates to school snacks and beverages, and these case studies can be shared to help others make these changes.” Schools are a critical area in which to address healthy eating and SNEB looks forward to working with USDA as schools move to provide healthy foods for all children throughout the school day. The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior represents the unique professional interests of nutrition educators in the United States and worldwide. The over 1000 members of SNEB are dedicated to promoting effective nutrition education and healthy behavior through research, policy and practice and have a vision of healthy communities, food systems and behaviors. Visit the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior at www.sneb.org. SNEB is a USDA/Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion National Strategic Partner.

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