Wellness Policy, No. 533.5
I. PURPOSE
This policy defines guidelines
The Anoka-Hennepin School District
that the district follows to provide
is committed to promoting and pro-
healthy food and a healthful envi-
tecting students’ health, well-being
ronment for students and staff.
and ability to learn. Thus, Anoka-
Also included are guidelines
Hennepin School District supports
for the contents of vending
healthy eating and healthy physical
machines and wellness topics
activity. It strives to provide a healthy in the curriculum.
school nutrition environment which
is conducive to good learning. These efforts also contribute positively to a
reduction in childhood obesity and diet related chronic disease.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
By working toward the following goals, Anoka-Hennepin School District sup-
ports the evidence based link between health wellness and improved educa-
tional outcomes of Anoka-Hennepin School District students.
A. Food and beverages sold or served at school will meet the nutrition rec-
ommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
B. Students will have access to a variety of affordable, nutritious, and ap-
pealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students; will
accommodate the religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the student
body in meal planning; and will provide clean, safe and pleasant set-
tings with adequate time for students to eat. School stores and snack
vending machines will offer snacks that follow the same state and fed-
eral regulations as the Child Nutrition Program for nutrient content.
C. To the maximum extent practicable, all schools will participate in avail-
able federal school meal programs (including the School Breakfast
Program, National School Lunch Program [including after-school
snacks], Summer Food Service Program, Fruit and Vegetable Snack
Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program [including suppers]).
D. Schools will provide nutrition promotion, nutrition education and physi-
cal education to foster lifelong habits of healthy eating and physical
activity. Schools will establish connections between health education,
school meal programs and related community services.
E. All students will have opportunities, support and encouragement to be
physically active on a regular basis.
F. Each school will have a School Health, Wellness and Safety Committee.
The committee will assist the district Health, Wellness and Safety Commit-
tee in meeting the implementing, monitoring and reporting requirements
of this policy. School/Site administrators will meet with the committee at
least two times per year to discuss wellness issues at their school.
G. Staff will work with legislators to fund issues that address the nutri-
tional needs of the student during the school day.
H. A Student Wellness page will be established on the district/ school
website to publicize opportunities in the area of nutrition and physical
activity throughout the district.
The Wellness Policy was designed by the Wellness Task Force which is a subcom-
mittee of the Health, Wellness and Safety Committee. The Wellness Task Force
strives to include persons from the schools and community including parents,
students, representatives from Child Nutrition, Health Service, Community Educa-
tion, curriculum directors, members of the School Board, school administration,
teachers, health professionals and members of the public. The Health, Wellness
and Safety Committee shall continue to develop, implement, monitor, review, and
recommend revisions regarding the Wellness Policy. The Health, Wellness and
Safety Committee will also serve as a resource to school sites for implementation
of the policy. (In the Child WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, the U.S. Congress per
2019-20 School Handbook
ahschools.us/policies
Public Law 108-265 instructed schools to establish a school wellness policy.
Anoka-Hennepin has established a policy for public schools in our district.)
III. NUTRITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES
A. Food Environment
1. Students will be encouraged to start each day with a healthy break-
fast since children who come to school hungry may find it difficult
to stay alert and learn. If a full breakfast program is not feasible,
schools will have healthy breakfast items available that students
can purchase on campus in school stores or vending machines.
2. It is a goal that bus schedules and morning breaks should be coordi-
nated to allow students ample time before class to eat breakfast if
they haven’t eaten at home.
3. Lunch periods will be scheduled as near the middle of the school
day as possible.
4. It is a goal to provide students sufficient time to eat during meal pe-
riods with at least 10 minutes for breakfast and 20 minutes for
lunch from the time the student is seated.
5. It is a goal to provide dining areas that will be attractive and in-
clude enough seating areas to accommodate all students who
would like to sit and eat lunch, as well as, enough serving areas so
that students do not have to spend too much time waiting in line.
6. Hand-washing facilities will be available for students and they will be
reminded to wash their hands before meals (to prevent the spread of
germs and reduce the risk of illness).
7. Drinking water will be available for students.
B. Food Service Operations
1. Anoka-Hennepin School District will develop a coordinated and
comprehensive outreach, promotion and pricing plan to ensure
maximum participation in the school meal program and will make
certain that all eligible children that qualify receive free and re-
duced-price meals.
2. Schools will ensure that students eligible to receive free or re-
duced price meals and milk are not treated differently from other
students nor are they easily identified by their peers.
3. Anoka-Hennepin School District will employ a food service direc-
tor who is properly qualified, certified and/or credentialed accord-
ing to professional standards to administer the school food
service program and satisfy reporting requirements.
4. All child nutrition personnel will have adequate pre-service training, par-
ticipate in ongoing professional development and strive to hold a state
issued or equivalent training certificate.
5. The Child Nutrition Program will adopt methods of cooking that de-
crease fat, calorie and sodium levels in food.
6. Anoka-Hennepin School District will plan menus that will meet the
nutrition standards recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans and ensure that the school meals program meets all re-
quirements set forth under U.S.D.A. 7 CFR Part 210 and Part 220.
7. Anoka-Hennepin School District will involve families and community
organizations in the development of programs to provide school meal
options that are culturally sensitive and meet special dietary needs.
C. Food and Beverages Served / Sold During the School Day
1. Food and beverages offered will be nutrient dense (According to the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and others, nutrient-dense foods
are those foods that are rich in important nutrients (vitamins, min-
eral, fiber, and/or protein) when compared to their calorie count.)
including whole grain products, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
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