SCHOOL FOOD ENVIRONMENT
ENACT STRATEGY: Food Policy
Adopt a comprehensive food policy that develops nutrition, health, and environmental guidelines for purchasing to ensure meals, snacks vending machines, and a la carte food and beverages include healthy and sustainable choices
Comprehensive food policies in schools are an important method for providing healthy nutritional choices for children, as well as supporting an agricultural system that is ecologically viable and economically sound. Nutrition is essential for the development of healthy children. Unlike the foods provided through the National School Food Program, competitive foods sold on school grounds, including à la carte foods, vending machine items and food court items, do not have to meet established federal nutritional standards. The presence of foods that are often high in sugar and fat can severely undermine a school’s attempt to provide a healthy food environment and may contribute to the epidemic of overweight and obesity in our nation’s youth. Nutrition is one element in developing standards for food purchasing, and some schools have adopted policies that support foods that have been produced in a sustainable manner. Purchasing criteria may include standards related to local/regional foods, organic and/or food produced without pesticides, hormones, or chemicals, antibiotic-free meat and poultry, the just treatment of farm workers, and humane treatment towards animals. By adopting specific nutrition, health and environmental standards for foods sold at school, schools can ensure that all foods served to students are healthy and tasty.
This tool provides a basic FAQ about local purchasing and wellness programs and outlines steps to take to achieve policy change in your school.
Sustainable Table has developed 8 reasons why to purchase and eat sustainable foods.
Case Studies (PDF)
Developed by Center for Science in the Public Interest as part of the free School Foods Kit, these Case Studies describe individuals, organizations, and states working to improve the nutritional quality of school foods and beverages.
Schools and School Districts That Have Improved School Foods and Beverages and Not Lost Revenue (PDF)
List compiled by Center for Science in the Public Interest of schools and school districts that have successfully implemented healthy food standards for competitive foods and beverages and have not lost revenue.
The School Lunch Initiative is a unique collaboration of public and private organizations working to make changes to Berkeley Unified School District’s food policies and practices. See what is being served in the lunch rooms, find tips and resources, and review their district-wide food policy.
Making it Happen! Success Story
Approach 1: Establish Competitive Food Standards (PDF)
Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Making It Happen! describes six specific approaches for improving the nutritional quality of “competitive foods,” the foods and beverages schools offer other than the meals served through the USDA’s school meal programs. The first approach gives background information about establishing standards and gives examples of states that have established standards for competitive foods. Success Story gives examples of states that have been successful in establishing healthy standards for competitive foods.
Healthy Vending Machine Policy San Francisco Unified School District (PDF)
In June 2004 the San Francisco Board of Education adopted guidelines for snack foods in San Francisco Unified School District. The policy establishes guidelines for foods sold outside of the school meal programs and addresses issues such as the type, portion size and nutrient quality allowed in snack foods to be sold in schools.
Food Policy: Rethinking School Lunch Guide (PDF)
This guide provides a framework for rethinking school food policy, expert interviews, a detailed description of a model school district food policy, and further resources.
Mapping School Food: A Policy Guide (PDF)
This policy guide examines situations faced by key decision-makers in schools, including Superintendents, Principals, Food Service Directors, and School Health Personnel, to guide them in their role of drafting and/or enforcing school food policy.
This report explores the feasibility of expanding use of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables in Minnesota’s public K-12 schools. The issues explored in this paper can be applied to other states.
A Guide to Developing a Sustainable Food Purchasing Policy (PDF)
This document created by Food Alliance is intended to help schools and other institutions, and those advocating for food system change, create, promote and implement practical sustainable food purchasing policies.
Healthy Food Policy Resource Guide
Developed by California Project Lean in collaboration with the California School Boards Association, this policy resource guide is designed for use by school board members and school administrators who want to positively affect the health of students. The guide offers a step-by-step approach for creating a healthy school environment so students can practice healthy eating habits while at school. It also includes model school nutrition policies for school boards.
The School Foods Kit (PDF)
Developed by Center for Science in the Public Interest, the free School Foods Kit (PDF) is designed to help you improve the nutritional quality of the foods and beverages served in schools.
Sample Policies and Materials (PDF)
Developed by Center for Science in the Public Interest as part of the free School Foods Kit, the Model Policies and Materials section provides model legislation, sample letters, and a list of resources that can be adapted and used as appropriate for your community.
National Consensus Panel on School Nutrition (PDF)
Recommendations for Competitive Food Standards in California Schools, March 2002. Report of recommendations for nutrient standards for competitive foods sold in California schools, developed by a panel of California and national experts.
Positive Link Between Childhood Nutrition and Literacy**
This study found that students who ate an adequate and varied amount of fruit, vegetables, protein, fiber, and other components of a healthy diet were significantly more likely to perform well on literacy tests. Read the press release.
Michelle D. Florence MSc, PDt, Mark Asbridge PhD, Paul J. Veugelers PhD (2008) Diet Quality and Academic Performance, Journal of School Health 78 (4) , 209–215
California SB 12: School Junk Food Ban
SB 12 established the most rigorous nutrition standards in the country for food sold anywhere on school campuses outside the school meal program. The law, which went into effect July 1st, 2007, established limits on fat and sugar content and portion size on all foods sold a la carte, in vending machines or school stores, or as part of a school fundraiser.
Suffolk County, UK School Food Purchasing Policy
This policy aims to ensure that local producers and suppliers incorporate practices that include environmental considerations (such as waste management, renewable resources and food miles) as well as welfare concerns (such as animal husbandry and care) within the final decision on all food sourcing.
Missoula County Public Schools
In 2005, the MCPS Farm to School began its pilot year with a series of meal events to introduce Montana grown foods into cafeteria meals in adherence with the seasonality of fresh produce and year round Montana products.
The Los Angeles Unified School District Childhood Obesity Prevention Motion
This policy sets nutritional standards and portion sizes for foods sold to students in Los Angeles Unified schools. Lists approved and unapproved snack foods for students and outlines steps that the superintendent will take to promote a healthy food environment.
Chicago Public Schools Operation of Snack Vending Machines Policy (PDF)
This policy creates standards for the operation and food content of snack vending machines located in Chicago Public Schools. The policy seeks to create a school environment that supports student nutrition and healthy food choices. Healthy Snack Criteria detailed in this policy applies to both students and school and administrative staff.
Berkeley Unified School District Food Policy
This policy outlines that the food served by Berkeley Unified School District has to be nutritious, locally grown, and when possible, organic.
Seattle Public Schools Policy on Distribution and Sales of Competitive Foods (PDF)
This policy sets nutrition standards for foods served in vending machines, student stores or offered or sold by parent groups, booster clubs, associated student body groups, al a carte sales in lunchrooms, and by teachers in class or by others.
Mercedes Independent School District Student Nutrition/Wellness Plan (PDF)
A comprehensive school nutrition and wellness policy including standards on quality school meals, food and beverage sales, physical activity, pleasant eating experiences, nutrition education, and marketing of food to students.
This website developed by the National Conference of State Legislatures provides summaries of recently enacted state laws and proposed state laws regarding food and beverage vending machines in schools.
in the ENACT Local Policy Database
Action for Healthy Kids’ Campaign for School Wellness strives to provide schools the crucial support necessary to implement wellness practices.
California Project LEAN's Bright Ideas
Bright Ideas is a web page designed to showcase successful or promising examples of schools and communities taking action on nutrition and physical activity by addressing policy and environmental change. Learn about successful strategies and programs that have made it easier for youth to eat healthy food and/or be physically active at school or in the community.
This website provides links to information and resources “for those who wish to create a healthier learning environment for our youth.” The site highlights public policy, student activism, and media coverage related to student nutrition and physical activity. It also contains useful information for healthy fundraising activities as well as a list of vendors and products that can help schools come into compliance with Senate Bill 19.
Multicomponent school intervention effective in preventing overweight children**
This study combined school self-assessment, nutrition policy, social marketing, nutrition education, and parent outreach strategies in five Philadelphia elementary schools. At the end of the 2 years, the schools with these interventions had half the obesity rate of control schools. News article also available here.
Foster, G. et al. A Policy-Based School Intervention to Prevent Overweight and Obesity. Pediatrics. 2008;121:e794-e802.
Dollars and Sense: The Financial Impact of Selling Healthier School Foods
This brief by UC Berkeley Center for Weight and Health describes the findings of two pilot studies looking at schools that implemented the nutrition standards set by SB19. Researchers found an improved quality of foods and beverages being sold to students and that students shifted to purchasing complete meals rather than snack foods. School food service increased revenues in a majority of schools because students purchased more meals.
Arizona Healthy School Environment Model Policy Implementation Pilot Study (PDF)
Through a grant from USDA, Food Services Division, the Arizona Department of Education evaluated the implementation of the Arizona Healthy School Environment Model at 8 pilot schools. The five month study revealed the financial impact of replacing high-calorie, low nutrient foods with healthier options.
2003 California High School Fast Food Survey Report (PDF)
The 2003 California High School Fast Food Survey Report describes the forces which shape the environment in which California high school students make food choices.
** We can only provide links to the article abstracts and not the full text.