Dear NAMA Members,
Your FitPick SELECT® Back-to-School Tool Kit has a healthy dose of information and ideas for you!
The new school year is around the corner. With that comes the first year with USDA’s Smart Snacks in School regulations, making it mandatory for all vended products to meet the new guidelines.
Inside you will find:
· Fill-in-the-Blank Press Release
· FitPick SELECT Standards
· Next Steps
· Product Compliance Resources
There’s value in communicating your commitment to nutrition to parents, administrators and other stakeholders. The communication in this tool kit is designed to help parents feel comfortable, knowing their kids’ school snacks fit with a balanced, healthy diet, and make school districts aware that your company supports these initiatives and is compliant with federal standards.
We encourage you to use the materials as presented or adapt them to fit your specific needs based on your market and customers. With these supplies at your disposal, you will be ready for the first day of school!
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Table of Contents
i. FitPick Program Overview………..………………….…………………………..1
ii. FitPick SELECT Standards………………………………………………………2
iii. Appendix
· Fill-in-the-blank Press Release
· Next Steps
· Compliance Resources
· Key Contacts
FitPick Program Overview
What is FitPick® and FitPick SELECT® ?
FitPick is a healthy vending and micro market labeling program that helps operators and consumers identify “better for you” products that meet recognized nutrition guidelines. FitPick guidelines are easy to understand - with labels listing maximum values on calories, fat, sugar and sodium - making it simple to see whether a product qualifies or not.
The FitPick program offers two levels of nutrition guidelines:
· FitPick is designed for the workplace and other non-school environments.
· FitPick SELECT is for schools and environments with more stringent nutrition requirements. It was designed to align with standards set forth by the USDA for snacks served in schools that went into effect July 1.
The FitPick program empowers consumers to make informed snack choices and helps ensure operators meet the latest recognized nutrition standards. FitPick and FitPick SELECT are smart and responsible choices for any vending or micro market operation wanting to compete in today’s health-conscious market.
FitPick SELECT Standards (Schools)
FitPick Select® is a FitPick® programming component specially designed to meet stringent nutrition guidelines. It is the ideal option for operators in schools and other locations to provide snack choices that comply with the nutrition standards established by the USDA.
FitPick® SELECT / USDASMART SNACKS IN SCHOOLS
CALORIES / 200 or less
FAT / 8g or less (≤35% of calories)
SATURATED FAT / 2g or less (<10% of calories)
TRANS FAT / 0g
SUGAR / 18g or less (≤35% of weight)
SODIUM / 200mg or less
To qualify as a Smart Snack, a snack or entrée must first meet the general nutrition standards:
1. Be a grain product that contains 50 percent or more whole grains by weight (have a whole grain as the first ingredient); or
2. Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or
3. Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and / or vegetable; and
4. The food must meet the nutrient standards for calories, sodium, sugar, and fats
For further information: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/tn/USDASmartSnacks.pdf.
Fill-in-the-Blank Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: YOUR NAME
YOUR EMAIL
YOUR PHONE
(YOUR COMPANY NAME) LAUNCHES FITPICK SELECT PROGRAM AT
(NAME OF SCHOOL(S) OR TOWN(S))
(City) August (XX), 201X – (Your company name) announces its implementation of FitPick SELECT®, a vending program designed to identify “better for you” snacks. Participation in FitPick SELECT ensures that all products sold in schools comply with the USDA’s Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
“We are committed to helping students make informed snack choices,” said (Name, company). “With the new school year quickly approaching, we are pleased to report that all of our machines and products are labeled and meet the FitPick SELECT standards,” (Name) continued. “By implementing this program, students, parents and school staff alike can be assured the products offered can be part of a balanced, healthy diet.”
Specifically, all FitPick SELECT compliant products must be 200 calories or less and meet overall USDA Smart Snacks in School standards. The program appeals to parents and school officials who prioritize and advocate for student health. More details can be found here: http://www.fitpick.org/nwc/fitpick-select/.
(Your company name), founded in (Year) provides vending service to (Number of customers) companies in the (City/Region) area. (Add more company background.)
(Your company name) is a member of NAMA, representing the $42 billion vending and refreshment services industry. Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry. With more than 1800 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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Next Steps
· Make sure you have all the FitPick SELECT® materials you need: order here
· Review fill-in-the-blank press release
· Complete the press release
· Consider including a photo with the press release
· Send press release to your local media
Resources
To help ensure that the products you offer are FitPick SELECT and USDA compliant, we recommend the following resources:
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Product Navigator
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation offers an online catalog of products that meet the USDA Smart Snacks regulations. You can find the Product Navigator here:
https://www.healthiergeneration.org/live_healthier/eat_healthier/alliance_product_navigator/
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Product Calculator
For items that aren’t listed in the Navigator, The Alliance for a Healthier Generation Product Calculator allows you to input product details to determine whether or not a particular item meets the USDA standards. You can find the Product Calculator here:
https://www.healthiergeneration.org/take_action/schools/snacks_and_beverages/smart_snacks/alliance_product_calculator/
For more information, please visit:
www.fitpick.org