The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will provide residents and park users, especially youth, with increased access to healthy foods. The MPRB will actively work to provide a healthy food environment for youth, residents and park users experiencing programs or services within facilities owned and operated by the MPRB. Residents and park users will have access to affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods that accommodate various dietary needs and food cultures.

The MPRB has designated three food environments, Healthiest, Healthier and Healthy, to allow flexibility in implementing increased access to healthy foods within recommended nutritional guidelines. All employees responsible for ordering and serving food are required to follow the food environment guidelines when procuring food with MPRB funds. The criteria standards for these food environments are:

Healthiest Criteria
All foods procured with MPRB funds will meet or exceed the recommendations from the USDA Dietary Guidelines and will strive to meet portion sizes as stated on all pre-packaged foods.

Healthier Criteria
Fifty (50) percent of all foods procured with MPRB funds will meet or exceed the USDA Dietary Guidelines and will strive to meet portion sizes as stated on all pre-packaged foods.

Healthy Criteria
Fifteen to twenty-five (15-25) percent of all foods procured with MPRB funds will meet or exceed the USDA Dietary Guidelines and will strive to meet portion sizes as stated on all pre-packaged foods. Programs or events serving youth exclusively ages 0-17 years are required to provide a food environment following the Healthiest Criteria.