As a school board member for Mankato Area Public Schools, I value hearing directly from parents about their concerns, and recently, one of you raised an important question about the use of food or candy as incentives for good behavior in our classrooms. This comment sparked a meaningful conversation about how we encourage positive behavior while prioritizing student health. Each of our schools strives to create a supportive learning environment, but practices can vary. However, Mankato’s School Wellness Policy 545 advises against using food as rewards, reflects our commitment to fostering healthy habits for every student. Below, I’ll explain the policy’s stance and share how you can engage with our schools to support wellness-focused alternatives that keep students motivated and thriving.

D. Other Foods and Beverages Made Available to Students

1. Student wellness will be a consideration for all foods offered, but not sold, to students on the school campus, including those provided through:
   a. Celebration and parties. The school district will provide a list of
   healthy party ideas to parents and teachers, including non-food
   celebration ideas.
   b. Classroom snacks brought by parents. The school district will
   provide to parents a list of suggested foods and beverages that
   meet Smart Snacks nutrition standards.
2. Rewards and incentives. Schools will not use foods or beverages as
   rewards for academic performance or good behavior (unless this practice is allowed by a student’s individual education plan or behavior intervention plan) and will not withhold food or beverages as punishment.
3. Fundraising. The school district will make available to parents and
   teachers a list of suggested health fundraising ideas.
   E. Food and Beverage Marketing in Schools
4. School-based marketing will be consistent with nutrition education and
   health promotion.
5. Schools restrict food and beverages marketing to the promotion of only
   those foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks nutrition standards.