Dear TVUSD Families,
Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, Arizona schools participating in federally funded meal programs, including all schools in the Tanque Verde Unified School District, must follow the Arizona Healthy Schools Act (House Bill 2164). The law is designed to reduce students' access to certain ultra-processed foods during the regular school day.
What Does the Law Do?
The Arizona Healthy Schools Act prohibits schools from serving, selling, or allowing a third party to sell foods containing certain ingredients during the regular school day. The law defines the “regular school day” as midnight through 30 minutes after the end of the school day.
The law applies to school cafeterias, vending machines, school stores, snack bars, fundraisers held during the school day, and other food provided on campus. It does not apply to food that parents pack from home for their own child.
The law defines ultra-processed foods as those containing one or more of these ingredients:
Potassium bromate
Propylparaben
Titanium dioxide
Brominated vegetable oil
Yellow Dye 5 or Yellow Dye 6
Blue Dye 1 or Blue Dye 2
Green Dye 3
Red Dye 3 or Red Dye 40
What This Means for Families
To comply with the new law, the following will not be permitted during the regular school day:
Shared food during the school day, including food prepared or consumed as part of classroom activities.
Classroom parties and celebrations with food
Birthday treats or holiday treats
Food rewards or incentives
Students sharing, selling, or distributing food brought from home to classmates during the school day
Visitors, volunteers, and outside organizations dropping off food for students (parents may bring their own child lunch, however not for any of their friends)
What Can Parents Still Do?
The good news is that families can continue to pack lunches and snacks for their own child.
Parents and guardians may:
Pack any lunch or snack they choose for their individual child.
Send treats or special foods for their own child to eat during the school day.
Provide non-food items to share for birthdays and class celebrations.
Why Is This Change Happening?
The Arizona Healthy Schools Act is intended to support healthier school food environments by limiting students' exposure to specific food additives during the school day. Schools across Arizona are required to comply with the law beginning in the 2026-27 school year and will certify their compliance with the Arizona Department of Education.
Thank You for Your Partnership
We appreciate your support as we implement these new state requirements. By working together, we can ensure our schools remain compliant with state law while continuing to celebrate students in safe and meaningful ways.
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