Arizona Healthy Schools Act
Arizona Healthy Schools Act
Arizona Healthy Schools Act or House Bill 2164, prohibits public schools participating in federally funded meal programs from serving or selling ultra-processed foods containing certain additives and dyes during the school day.
A school day, for the applicability of this law, is defined as midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day.
The bill defines ultra-processed foods as those containing ingredients such as:
- Potassium Bromate
- Propylparaben
- Brominated vegetable oil
- Titanium Dioxide
- Artificial food dyes (Yellow 5 & 6, Blue 1 & 2, Green 3, and Red 3 & 40)
The bill is in effect as of July 1, 2026.
Arizona Healthy Schools Act FAQ's
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The Arizona Healthy Schools Act is a state law that establishes restrictions on certain foods and beverages that may be sold, served, or provided to students during the regular school day in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
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All requirements begin July 1, 2026.
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The law applies to foods and beverages containing certain additives and artificial colorings identified in the legislation, including:
- Red 40
- Red 3
- Yellow 5
- Yellow 6
- Blue 1
- Blue 2
- Green 3
- Titanium dioxide
- Brominated vegetable oil
- Potassium bromate
- Propylparaben
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No. School meals served through our cafeteriaa will continue to be available and compliant with state and federal nutrition requirements.
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Yes. The law does not prohibit parents or guardians from sending food or beverages from home for their own child.
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Yes. Foods and beverages provided during classroom celebrations, birthday parties, pizza parties, teacher-sponsored events, and similar activities during the school day must comply with the Arizona Healthy Schools Act. We will have Birthday Treat Packs available for purchase that do comply.
See below FAQs for more info.
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Yes. There is no blanket ban on classroom birthday treats. Store-bought items intended to be shared with a class may be permitted if they comply with the Arizona Healthy Schools Act and do not contain the restricted additives identified in the legislation. Final approval of classroom treats will be determined by the school administration.
Some examples of acceptable treats include:
- Cheese Sticks
- Yogurt
- Popcorn
- Multigrain Crackers
- Nuts and Seeds
- Fruits and Vegetables
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The Arizona Healthy Schools Act applies during the school day, which is defined as midnight before the instructional day begins until 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day. Schools will review all activities and events to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
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No. Students will continue to have access to a variety of food and beverage options. Many manufacturers have already developed compliant versions of popular products, allowing schools to continue offering many of the same choices students know and enjoy while meeting state and federal requirements.
Smart Snack Program
Our Food & Nutritian Partner, Chartwells, is excited to introduce our new Smart Snacks program for all K-12 students. This program will offer a variety of USDA Smart Snacks-compliant food and beverage options that meet nutrition standards established for schools while providing students with additional snack choices throughout the school day.
Our snack offerings will range in price from $0.50 to $1.75 for grades K-6th, making them affordable for families while ensuring students have access to nutritious options. All products available through this program meet National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Smart Snacks standards, including requirements for calories, sodium, sugar, fat content, and portion sizes.
To help families make informed decisions, please see letter flyer at right that explains the program and provides an option for parents who do not wish for their child to purchase snacks. Parents may choose to:
• Opt their child out of snack purchases entirely.
• Set a spending limit on their child's cafeteria account.
• Restrict snack purchases while still allowing meal purchases.
Student accounts can be configured so that snack purchases cannot create a negative balance. This safeguard helps families maintain control over snack spending while preventing unexpected charges.
About the Smart Snacks Program
The USDA Smart Snacks standards were developed to promote healthier eating habits among students by ensuring that foods sold during the school day support student wellness. These standards focus on:
• Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein-rich foods.
• Reasonable calorie and portion limits.
• Reduced sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.
• Nutritious beverage options appropriate for each grade level.
The goal of this program is to provide students with healthier snack choices while giving parents flexibility and control over their child's purchasing privileges.
Birthday Party Celebration Kits
Celebrate your child’s special day at school with one of our fun birthday party kits! All items are individually packaged and easy for classroom celebrations. All kits serve up to 25 students.
$10 Birthday Kit
Choose ONE:
- Cheez-It® Crackers
- Goldfish® Crackers
- Freshly Baked Cookies
- Chocolate Chip
- Sugar
$15 Birthday Kit
Choose ONE:
- Mott’s® Fruit Snacks
- Fruit Roll-Ups®
- Capri Sun®
- Milk
- Chocolate
- White
$20 Birthday Kit
Choose ONE:
- Ice Cream Cups (Chocolate or Vanilla)
Includes napkin and spoon - Freshly Baked Cinnamon Rolls
Includes napkin
$25 Birthday Kit
Choose ONE:
- Soft Baked Pretzels
- Freshly Baked Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Cheese Pizzas w/ plates and napkins
Compliant birthday treats are available for purchase at each school cafeteria. Please contact your schools' cafeteria manager to purchase items. We ask that the order is placed 7 days in advance of event date.