Local School Wellness Policy

At a glance

  • Each local education agency participating in federal Child Nutrition Programs is required to develop and implement a wellness policy.
  • Guidance is available for creating a wellness policy.
  • In addition, minimum requirements for wellness policies are broadly outlined below.
A group of teachers outdoors exercising and playing volleyball.

Why it's important

A local school wellness policy (wellness policy) is a written document that guides a local educational agency (LEA) or school district to create supportive school nutrition and physical activity environments. This is important because each LEA participating in federal Child Nutrition Programs—including the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program—is required to develop and implement a wellness policy

Creating a wellness policy

Wellness policies can be integrated into the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework for school health. Wellness policies can also address policies and practices before, during, and after school.

Resource‎

Putting Local School Wellness Policies Into Action: Stories From School Districts and Schools
These are examples of steps and strategies to implement wellness policies. The examples include activities in key areas such as improving school meals and increasing physical activity levels among students.

Local school wellness policy requirements list

School districts can develop wellness policies to meet the unique needs of each school under its jurisdiction. But at a minimum wellness policies are required to:

  • Include goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. In developing these goals, LEAs must review and consider evidence-based strategies.
  • Include nutrition guidelines for all foods sold on each school campus during the school day. Ensure that the guidelines are consistent with federal regulations for school meals and Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
  • Include policies for foods and beverages available to students. These may include food for classroom parties and rewards, classroom snacks brought by parents, and other foods given as incentives.
  • Include 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.
  • Bring a variety of people together to help develop, implement, and update the local school wellness policy. This group may include parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, physical education teachers, school health professionals, school board members, school administrators, and the general public.
  • Identify one or more school districts or school officials who have the authority and responsibility to ensure each school complies with the policy.
  • Annually inform and update the public (including parents, students, and others in the community) about the local school wellness policy.
  • At least once every 3 years, measure the following, and make the assessment available to the public:
    • The extent to which schools are in compliance with the local school wellness policy.
    • How the local school wellness policy compares to model local school wellness policies.
    • The progress toward reaching the goals of the local wellness policy.

Resources

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Content Source:
Division of Adolescent and School Health; National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion