Each school district participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program must develop a local wellness policy. The wellness policy requirement was established by the Child Nutrition and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004 and further strengthened by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). The final rule issued by USDA expanded the requirements to strengthen policies and increase transparency.
At a minimum, policies are required to include:
- Specific goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. LEAs are required to review and consider evidence-based strategies in determining these goals.
- Standards and nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages sold to students on the school campus during the school day that are consistent with federal regulations for:
- School meal nutrition standards, and the
- Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
- Standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students during the school day (e.g., in classroom parties, classroom snacks brought by parents, or other foods given as incentives).
- Policies for food and beverage marketing that allow marketing and advertising of only those foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
- Description of public involvement, public updates, policy leadership, and evaluation plan.
