C

Competitive Food Service

Competitive food means any food sold which is not part of the reimbursable meal. Prohibited competitive foods are called "foods of minimal nutritional value" and may not be sold in the meal service or dining areas until after the end of the breakfast or lunch period. Competitive foods which are not foods of minimum nutritional value may be sold during meal periods. Income from the sale of allowed competitive foods must accrue to the nonprofit food service, the school, or approved student organizations.

It is the school's responsibility to know what items are prohibited from being sold and to monitor compliance with the regulation. Violations may jeopardize the receipt of federal and state funds and USDA commodities. Schools in violation of the regulations will have all reimbursements denied for the day of the offense. Repeated violations will be deemed an administrative deficiency, and appropriate corrective action must be taken by the LEA to maintain program participation. (See Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value.)