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Mansfield Board adopts wellness, meal-charging and nutrition measures; allows limited after-hours food sales
Summary
At its April 30 meeting the Mansfield Board of Education unanimously adopted wellness and meal-charging policies, certified compliance with Connecticut Nutrition Standards for 2026–27 and approved limited exceptions for noncompliant food sales at after-school or weekend events.
The Mansfield Board of Education on April 30 unanimously adopted updated Wellness and Meal Charging policies and certified that food sold to students during the 2026–27 school year will comply with the Connecticut Nutrition Standards.
Haley Gross de Jimenez moved the certification, citing state law, and Kristin Dilaj seconded. The motion stated that “the Mansfield Board of Education certifies that all food items offered for sale to students in the schools under its jurisdiction, and not exempted from the Connecticut Nutrition Standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education, will comply with the Connecticut Nutrition Standards during the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.” The board voted unanimously in favor.
The board also approved a separate motion, moved by Gross de Jimenez and seconded by Sabrina Hosmer, to allow the sale of food items that do not meet the state standards only under three conditions: the sale must be in connection with an event occurring after the regular school day or on the weekend, the sale must take place at the event location, and the items must not be sold from a vending machine or school store. The motion defines “event” as an occurrence involving more than a regularly scheduled practice or meeting and defines the “regular school day” as midnight before to 30 minutes after the official school day.
Superintendent Morell told the board this was the second reading and vote on the Wellness and Meal Charging policies. The policies will take effect following the board’s vote; the certification and the exception rules explicitly apply to the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Chef Maraiah Popeleski-Tilley presented the Board’s annual Food Services Update before the votes, and MPS teachers Louis Goffinet, Sue Irvine and Jenn McMunn gave an Enrichment presentation during the meeting; the minutes record the presentations but do not provide detail on their contents.
Board members who participated in the motions and votes that passed included Chair Jeannette Picard, Vice Chair Kristin Dilaj and members Martha Kelly, John Fratiello, Haley Gross de Jimenez, Sabrina Hosmer, David Litrico and Katherine Paulhus. One member, Gregory Cecil, was recorded absent in the minutes.
The decision means that, during the 2026–27 school year, most foods offered for sale to students on school premises during the regulated period must meet Connecticut’s nutrition rules, while limited exceptions are allowed for event-based sales outside regular school hours.
