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Tolland Board Authorizes Healthy Foods Certification to Secure Federal Lunch Reimbursement
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Summary
The board voted to authorize the superintendent to sign the district—s Healthy Food Certification for 2025–26, a federal/state program that requires districts to limit competitive food sales during school hours in exchange for per‑meal reimbursements; members said the district previously collected about $20,000 in reimbursements.
The Tolland Board of Education voted to authorize Superintendent Doctor Willett to execute the 2025–26 Healthy Food Certification, a routine district commitment that preserves federal reimbursement for school meals if the district complies with nutrition rules and limits the sale of certain competitive food items during the school day.
The certification requires districts to commit to state and federal nutrition standards for reimbursable meals and to limit some competitive food sales; districts that certify receive additional per‑meal reimbursement. Superintendent Doctor Willett told the board the district received roughly $20,000 last year via the per‑meal reimbursement and described the packet of motions as the annual routine required to retain the funding.
Board members moved the item from discussion to board action earlier in the meeting and later approved the superintendent’s authorization. Board members voiced support during the discussion: “This is something that seems routine at this point,” said Board member Jaden, noting the reimbursement is tied to district compliance rather than large concession revenue.
Motion outcomes: the board first voted to move the certification to board action and then voted to authorize the superintendent to sign the Healthy Food Certification and permit required exemptions as set out in the motion. The motions carried on recorded voice votes with all present board members voting aye.
The superintendent and staff will submit the signed certification to the appropriate state/federal authority to secure the reimbursement for the 2025–26 school year.
