July 22, 2024

School Nutrition

Most U.S. children consume as much as half of their daily calories at school.
CDC recommends that nutrition-related school policies and practices support healthy eating choices.
The school nutrition environment, part of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework, can shape lifelong healthy eating behaviors.

Students in front of a chalk board smiling and happy with their arms raised over their heads.

Why it's important

A healthy school nutrition environment provides students with the following:

Nutritious and appealing foods and beverages.
Consistent and accurate messages about good nutrition.
Ways to learn about and practice healthy eating throughout the time children spend on school grounds—including before and after school.

How it works

To learn about the benefits of healthy eating and academic performance, visit Childhood Nutrition Facts. And to learn more about how schools can address energy drink consumption and other related facts, visit our energy drinks page. Supportive Environments: Nutrition details how school nutrition policies and practices can support a school's social and emotional climate (SEC) and social and emotional learning (SEL).

Celebrations and rewards

Food and beverages may be part of classroom celebrations, parties, and special events, or offered to students as rewards for achievement or positive behavior. Schools and parents can work together to ensure that celebrations, events, and rewards support health. For example, they can provide only healthy foods and beverages at celebrations and events and offer nonfood items for rewards. These strategies apply to celebrations occurring during the school day or out-of-school time programs on school grounds. Ideas for nonfood rewards include extra time for recess, stickers, or a note of recognition from a teacher or principal.

Staff role modeling

Teachers, school staff, out-of-school time program leaders, and administrators can also practice healthy eating—consuming healthy foods and beverages. In addition, they can make efforts to be physically active and get involved in the school's employee wellness program. This modeling reinforces healthy behavior with students and supports consistent school messages about the importance of good nutrition.