Wellness Policy

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265) required that schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs (National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, After-School Snack Program and Special Milk Program) establish a school wellness policy by the 2006-2007 school year. The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) conducted a review of school wellness policies in Connecticut schools using a school wellness policy assessment tool developed in partnership with the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University.

For additional information on Meriden Public Schools Wellness Committee or to express an interest in becoming a member of the committee, please contact Susan Maffe, Director of Food & Nutrition Services at susan.maffe@meridenk12.org

Meriden voluntarily participates in Healthy Food Certification with the State of Connecticut Department of Child Nutrition Connecticut's Healthy Food Certification Nutrition Standards are more stringent than USDA'S 'Smart Snacks' Nutrition Standards. By complying with Healthy Food Certification, our district commits to selling snack items during the school day that meet the Connecticut Nutrition Standards which focus on limiting fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and sugars, moderating portion sizes, and promoting increased intake of nutrient-dense foods such as whole grains. The nutrients addressed in the Connecticut Nutrition Standards are based on current nutrition science and national health recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, My Plate and national organizations, such as the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Additional information on Connecticut's Healthy Food Certification is available at the State Department of Education website.