Beverage Nutritional Criteria. It is the policy of the Board that County funds that are being used to purchase food and beverages on behalf of the County must not be used to purchase beverages that do not meet the County's nutritional beverage criteria. These criteria may be waived in the event of an emergency or in light of medical necessity. The criteria for waiver are set forth in the Administrative Guidelines for this section.
Beverage Nutritional Criteria. Except in the event of an emergency or medical necessity, the following nutritional standards shall apply to any foods and/or beverages purchased by CONTRACTOR with COUNTY funds for COUNTY-sponsored meetings or events. If food is to be provided, healthier food options shall be offered. “Healthier food options” include (1) fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat and low calorie foods; (2) minimally processed foods without added sugar and with low sodium; (3) foods prepared using healthy cooking techniques; and (4) foods with less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Whenever possible, CONTRACTOR shall (1) offer seasonal and local produce; (2) serve fruit instead of sugary, high calorie desserts; (3) attempt to accommodate special, dietary and cultural needs; and (4) post nutritional information and/or a list of ingredients for items served. If meals are to be provided, a vegetarian option shall be provided, and the CONTRACTOR should consider providing a vegan option. If pre-packaged snack foods are provided, the items shall contain: (1) no more than 35% of calories from fat, unless the snack food items consist solely of nuts or seeds; (2) no more than 10% of calories from saturated fat; (3) zero trans fat; (4) no more than 35% of total weight from sugar and caloric sweeteners, except for fruits and vegetables with no added sweeteners or fats; and (5) no more than 360 mg of sodium per serving. If beverages are to be provided, beverages that meet the COUNTY’s nutritional criteria are (1) water with no caloric sweeteners; (2) unsweetened coffee or tea, provided that sugar and sugar substitutes may be provided as condiments; (3) unsweetened, unflavored, reduced fat (either nonfat or 1% low fat) dairy milk; (4) plant-derived milk (e.g., soy milk, rice milk, and almond milk) with no more than 130 calories per 8 ounce serving; (5) 100% fruit or vegetable juice (limited to a maximum of 8 ounces per container); and (6) other low- calorie beverages (including tea and/or diet soda) that do not exceed 40 calories per 8 ounce serving. Sugar-sweetened beverages shall not be provided.
Beverage Nutritional Criteria. CONTRACTOR shall not use County funds to purchase beverages that do not meet the County’s nutritional beverage criteria. The six categories of nutritional beverages that meet these criteria are (1) water with no additives; (2) 100% fruit juices with no added sugars, artificial flavors or colors (limited to a maximum of 10 ounces per container); (3) xxxxx xxxx, xxx-xxx, 0% and 2% only, no flavored milks; (4) plant derived (i.e., rice, almond, soy, etc.) milks (no flavored milks); (5) artificially-sweetened, calorie-reduced beverages that do not exceed 50 calories per 12-ounce container (teas, electrolyte replacements); and (6) other non-caloric beverages, such as coffee, tea, and diet sodas. These criteria may be waived in the event of an emergency or in light of medical necessity.
