Board certifies compliance with Connecticut nutrition standards and approves limited exemptions

On May 28 the Newington Board of Education voted to certify that food sold to students during the 2025–2026 school year will comply with Connecticut Nutrition Standards and separately approved limited exemptions for food sold at after-hours events.

Board members read aloud the certification language required by state law. The motion, introduced in public session, cited the statutory certification period from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and covered food sold separately from reimbursable school meals including sales by school stores, vending machines, culinary programs and fundraising activities.

The board then approved a companion policy allowing sales of items that do not meet the nutrition standards when three conditions are met: the sale must be in connection with an event occurring after the regular school day or on the weekend, the sale must occur at the event’s location, and the items must not be sold from vending machines or school stores. The board’s definition of an “event” excludes regularly scheduled practices and meetings and defines the regular school day as running from midnight before the school day until 30 minutes after the official end of the day.

Both motions passed unanimously on roll call. The board’s certification is required to secure maximum state reimbursement for the district’s school meal program and to demonstrate compliance with state law (motions were couched by reference to the Connecticut General Statutes in the motion language read to the board).