This year, the Olympia School District is undergoing an audit from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and one of the key parts of the review focuses on the food we eat at school.
According to marketing teacher Jeniffer Fabritius “It’s definitely a hot issue right now because our school district is undergoing a nutrition audit”. For some of us, this might mean grabbing a snack or lunch in the cafeteria, but the audit is looking at all food sold in schools and how well it meets the state’s health and nutrition standards. Here’s what the review is all about and what it means for us as students.
OHS Principal Mathew Grant explains, “The requirement to sell only ‘Smart Snack’ compliant foods comes from the USDA. I understand this severely limits the foods we are allowed to sell.” This is a big part of the audit and is part of an effort to make sure the food options meet specific health and nutrition guidelines set by the government.
For students, this audit means we might start seeing healthier options in the cafeteria and vending machines. If we’ve noticed that there are more fruits, vegetables options, that could be part of the changes coming from the review. The school district wants to make sure we have access to foods that help us perform our best and feel good overall.
The OSPI auditor has requested a list of all food sold in the schools, including those from student stores, PTA/PTO, and clubs. As part of the process, each food or beverage item must be checked using the Smart Snack calculator to make sure it meets the necessary health standards.
According to Fabritius, “Each food/beverage item that we serve must be run through the Smart Snack calculator before being offered. The results should be printed and kept in an accessible area near where the food is sold.”
However, the audit could also mean that some of the less healthy snacks, like sugary treats or chips, might be removed or replaced with better options. “I understand that often it just simply doesn’t make any sense. The frustration is felt strongly in my department as well,” Grant shared. This could be a big change for some of us who rely on those snacks to get through the day.
The OSPI audit may seem like a big deal, but it’s all about making sure we have access to healthy food that helps us succeed in school. If you’ve noticed changes in the menu or new options in the cafeteria, it’s probably part of the process.
