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Application
Criteria
The
2012 criteria for the HealthierUS School Challenge
reflect changes to the
National School Lunch Program
(NSLP)
and
School Breakfast Program
(SBP)
meal pattern requirements as
stated in 7 CFR Parts 210 and
220, while
continuing to recognize schools
that go above and beyond Federal
requirements for school meals.
All new
applications submitted to a
State agency on or after July 1,
2012, will be considered using
the
2012
HealthierUS School Challenge
criteria. Schools will continue
to be recognized at four award
levels: Gold Award of
Distinction, Gold, Silver or
Bronze level. Major changes to
the criteria include:
Breakfast Criteria
Under the 2012 criteria, schools
must participate in the SBP and,
for upper award levels, meet
Average Daily Participation
(ADP) criteria for
breakfast. Schools must also
meet criteria relating to fruits
and/or vegetables, whole grains,
and low-fat and fat-free milk at
breakfast. The addition of these
criteria recognizes the
importance of a nutritious
breakfast to children’s health
and academic performance. Today,
almost 90% of schools that
participate in the NSLP also
participate in the SBP.
“Other Criteria for Excellence”
Category
Schools may meet criteria in
this category by selecting from
20 options relating to program
outreach, physical activity,
nutrition education, and school
and community involvement in
wellness efforts. The number of
options a school must accomplish
varies by award level, ranging
from two at the Bronze level to
eight at the Gold Award of
Distinction level.
Lunch Criteria
The 2012 HUSSC criteria are
updated to reflect NSLP meal
pattern requirements, while
continuing to encourage schools
to offer a variety of
vegetables, fresh fruit and
whole grain-rich grains.
ADP Calculation Method
The ADP criteria for NSLP and
SBP is based on attendance
rather than enrollment.
The 2012 HUSSC criteria also
include modifications to
nutrition education requirements
for elementary and middle
schools and updates Local
Wellness Policy criteria to be
consistent with the Healthy
Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010,
Public Law 111-296. Schools
will continue to receive
monetary incentives for
meeting required criteria.
FNS plans to release a revised
HUSSC application form,
technical assistance materials
and training tools in
Spring/Summer 2012.
Last modified:
01/15/2013
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