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At HSC, we take a systems approach to transforming school food and recognize the powerful role that policy plays in determining what students find on their cafeteria trays.

We place a high priority on school food policy because we recognize its power to:

Fuel learning: Healthy meals support schools' core mission of education, especially when it comes to boosting students' concentration, focus and cognitive function. A vast body of research shows that improved nutrition in schools leads to increased focus and attention, improved test scores and better classroom behavior.

Support healthy habits and consistent messages: Nutritious school food helps students develop lifelong healthy eating habits. It also contributes to a culture of wellness at school, reinforcing nutrition education messages from teachers. Healthy school food can also increase school connectedness and reinforce to children, families and community that students' health and well-being are valued.

Drive change in the marketplace and food system: We see school food as a lever for food systems change. School food is a $16.3 billion federally funded program. This use of public dollars creates an important opportunity and responsibility for a policy discussion about nutrition standards, procurement and food systems. Strong nutrition standards in the school meal program can drive changes in the consumer markets. School food also influences the taste buds and values of the next generations of consumers.

What We're Doing
Speaking Up for Healthy School Food
HSC's work to transform school food focuses on policy change at the national, state and local levels. Because the program is shaped significantly at each level of policy, we need alignment on all three levels to achieve the goal of fresh, healthy meals for every student.

At each level, our approach is to empower, advocate and build. For example, our school food policy efforts focus on:

Empowering school stakeholders, including students, parents and school food service leaders.

Advocating for policies that promote healthy school foods.

Building the capacity of local, state and federal institutions to support and implement health-promoting policies.

National
At the national level, efforts to roll back progress on school food policy have centered on the myth that students universally reject healthy school food. At HSC, we believe the most powerful and relevant response to this is from the students themselves. As a result, much of our national food policy work focuses on making sure that often-unheard student voices are part of this debate. We do this work through Cooking up Change, a competition for high school culinary students challenging them to create a healthy school meal that their peers will enjoy. Their culinary creations are proof positive that healthy school meals can taste great and appeal to students.
State
At the state level, HSC advocates for policy in Illinois to support healthy school food. HSC focuses on support for robust implementation of the standards determined in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and particularly on building schools' long-term capacity to support healthful school food programs.

As at the national level, we also work to elevate student voices in the state policy dialogue about healthy school food through Cooking up Change. For example, the winning student chefs from Cooking up Change Chicago each year present their meal to the Illinois State Board of Education and share their perspective on the value of healthy school food.
Local
As HSC works for change on a national level, we are grounded in a special focus on Chicago Public Schools, where more than 85 percent of the district's 400,000 students come from low-income families. We focus on empowering school stakeholders, advocating for district-level policies for healthy school food, and building the district's capacity to procure and serve fresh, healthy food in a pleasant environment.

In particular, we are motivated by a vision for school food centered on ten interconnected pathways which are critical to the success of school food programs. We developed these pathways through our work with parent and stakeholder school food advisory groups we co-convened with Chicago Public Schools. Read more about the pathways and our work for school food in Chicago.

In addition to our work in Chicago, we provide tools and resources to support parents and other advocates in making change in their own communities. See our Resource Center for more.

What You Can Do
Raise Your Voice: National
Your voice is especially vital as we approach a moment of risk and opportunity for national school food policy. As the administration proposes new rules that roll back progress and Congress gears up to reauthorize the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, your voice is more important than ever.

You can raise your voice in support of healthy school food policy by urging your elected leaders to maintain the recent progress supporting healthy food and healthy students.
Raise Your Voice: State
Because state-level school food policy varies greatly from state to state, the crucial first step for advocates seeking change at the state level is to understand your state's particular policy environment.

An excellent starting point is the National Association of State Boards of Education State School Health Policy Database, which includes state-level detail about policies focused on school meals, competitive foods, wellness policies and more.

For highlights of successful strategies used by state agency leaders to promote healthy school food, see Promising Practices of State Child Nutrition Programs.

We encourage you to speak with leaders at your school to understand their school food challenges and opportunities, talk with parents about what they see, and learn about any advocacy organizations who may be working on this issue in your state. Based on this information, you can identify the most practical approach to creating change. See HSC's Resource Center for more.
Raise Your Voice: Local
Many key policy decisions about school food are made at the local district and school levels. Your voice matters in your community! We encourage you to get involved in your school's wellness committee, learn about your district's Local School Wellness Policy, and talk with students about their experience with school lunch. For more, see our step-by-step guide to creating change through a school wellness committee.

Seemingly small decisions at the local and school level can have a tremendous impact. For example, a recent study found that adding just five minutes to students' available lunch time led to a big jump in the amount of fresh produce they ate.
Stay Informed + Stay Connected
Informing yourself about the issues involved in school health and sharing this information with others is an important step in creating meaningful change. It's about learning, sharing and sparking conversations that get people thinking. We encourage you to:
Make a Donation
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on support from people like you so we can continue to make schools healthier places where all children can learn and thrive. Your gift-large or small-will make a meaningful difference.
Make a Donation

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School Food School food directly affects students' health, learning, and lifetime wellness habits. It can also play a powerful role in driving positive change in our nation's food systems.

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Center for Science in the Public Interest - Support Healthier School Food 

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Center for Science in the Public Interest - Support Healthier School Food 

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Center for Science in the Public Interest

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Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA)

In 2010, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) made significant improvements to school foods and other child nutrition programs, providing children with more nutritious food options and teaching children healthy habits that can last a lifetime. The HHFKA established national nutrition standards for all food sold in schools, strengthened local wellness policies, improved the nutritional quality of school meals, strengthened accountability of school meals, and improved meal financing to support healthy school meals.

School Meals

The updated standards, set in 2012, aligned school meals with the latest nutrition science, established by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the National Academy of Sciences. Thanks to the updated standards, schools now offer more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, low-fat or non-fat milk, sensible limits on calories, and less unhealthy fats and salt, and healthier snacks and beverages. With one out of every three children overweight or obese and nearly 30 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program, these improvements are a key strategy for supporting children's health.

Final Rules

Nearly all schools are meeting the updated nutrition standards for school lunch, but continued attacks by USDA threaten progress made and child health. There is still more work to do to ensure all kids have access to healthy, appealing food at school.

General Resources

Participation

Plate Waste

Calories

Sodium

Whole Grains

Added Sugar

USDA Foods (Commodities)

Policy Options

Tips

For more information, contact the Center for Science in the Public Interest at policy@cspinet.org

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In 2010, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) made significant improvements to school foods and other child nutrition programs, providing children with more nutritious food options and teaching children healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

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Introducing School Food for Thought, the School Nutrition Association's podcast and your newest source of insights and knowledge about school nutrition, K-12 foodservice and the latest industry trends.

Join us as we dive into fascinating conversations with school nutrition leaders who share their experiences and expertise on a wide range of topics, from creating delicious menus and designing inviting cafeterias to managing finances and leading teams.

Want CEUs? Each episode awards 0.25 to 0.5 CEUs after passing a short quiz, linked with each episode below.

Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or on the media player for each episode.

Subscribe

Welcome to Season 3 of School Food for Thought! Get ready to be inspired, energized, and equipped with fresh ideas to transform your school nutrition programs! Season 3 of School Food for Thought is here, and this time we're diving deeper than ever into the topics that matter most to school nutrition professionals. Whether you're looking for innovative marketing strategies, navigating new nutrition guidelines, or finding creative ways to balance scratch cooking with processed options, this season has it all.

This season, we're bringing you conversations with top industry leaders, rising stars, and creative thinkers who will share actionable advice, real-world success stories, and the kind of inspiration that will make you proud to be part of this field. We're tackling the big questions and giving you the tools to thrive, all while celebrating the amazing work you do every day to nourish students and build stronger communities.

Ready to dive in? Catch episode one now on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
We'd like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors for their generous support and commitment to advancing school nutrition.

Get ready for an exciting new season of School Food for Thought! Join us as we dive into the heart of school nutrition, exploring innovative ideas, inspiring stories, and practical tips from the leaders who make it all happen. From advocacy and behind-the-scenes roles to creative culinary innovations and sustainability efforts, Season 2 is packed with engaging conversations that will empower and inspire. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this season offers valuable insights and fresh perspectives to enhance your approach to school nutrition. Tune in and discover how we're shaping the future of school meals, one episode at a time!

Greener Futures: Tackling Sustainability and Food Waste in School Nutrition with Diane Grodek and Katie Cossette
Release date: July 9, 2024
This episode of School Food for Thought features Diane Grodek, Executive Chef at Austin Independent School District, and Katie Cossette, School Nutrition Director from St. Vrain Valley Schools in Colorado. Diane and Katie discuss their commitment to providing healthy, nutritious meals by thinking outside the box. From minimizing plastic packaging and reducing food waste to using local ingredients, they share practical tips and creative solutions for improving school nutrition programs. Whether you work in a rural district or a bustling city, this conversation is packed with insights that can help enhance your approach to school meals.

Listen Now

Join us for the first season of our podcast, School Food for Thought! Together, we will dive into the diverse and innovative approaches shaping the future of school nutrition. Each episode spotlights key topics, from sustainability and creative menu planning to advocacy and career opportunities in school nutrition. We explore how districts are reducing food waste, engaging students with locally sourced foods, and incorporating cutting-edge food trends into healthy meals. Guests share practical advice and inspiring stories to help listeners improve their programs and create meaningful experiences for students.

We also delve into broader themes, such as innovation in school nutrition through initiatives like school gardens and cooking competitions, and the importance of advocacy in driving positive change for schools and communities. Whether you're looking for actionable tips, fresh perspectives, or motivation to take your program to the next level, this season offers something for everyone committed to nourishing the next generation.

Episode One

What's on the Horizon for School Nutrition?
Release Date: July 9, 2023
From local foods to sustainability to recruiting the next generation of school nutrition professionals, what's coming in the future of school nutrition? SNA President Chris Derico, SNS, of Barbour County (W.Va.) Schools, and Stefanie Giannini, MA, SNS, of Marquardt School District 15 in Illinois, talk about their predictions, as well as the financial challenges of running a successful program, supply chain issues and the increasing role that technology has played in the industry.

Take the CEU Quiz
(must log into SNA account to access)

Episode Three

Bringing Fun Ethnic Foods into Cafeterias
Release date: September 9, 2023
SNA Secretary/Treasurer Warren DeShields of Bridgeton City (N.J.) Public Schools and Brianne Pulver of Auburn (Mass.) Public Schools discuss diversity and inclusion in school cafeterias and different ways school food directors can engage with their communities. Warren and Brianne also share their experiences navigating the school nutrition profession and how they hope to bring more diversity to the profession they love.

Take the CEU Quiz
(must log into SNA account to access)

Episode Four

Doing More Than the Impossible
Release date: October 9, 2023
Community partnerships are key for successful school nutrition programs. Chris Burkhardt, SNS, of Cincinnati (Ohio) Public Schools, and Naim Walcott of West Hampton (N.Y.) Unified School District, discuss the power of these partnerships and how to work with different stakeholders to advance school nutrition programs.

Listen Now

Listen Online

https://schoolnutrition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Chris-B.-and-Naim-W.mp3

Take the CEU Quiz
(must log into SNA account to access)

Creating and Maintaining an Excellent Culture in School Nutrition Staff
Release date: November 9, 2023
Positive workplace culture starts at the top! Doug Massey of Klein Independent School District in Texas, and Alisa Roman of Lewiston (Maine) Public Schools, they have a lot in common, despite their geographic distance, including their leadership style, love for the profession and incredibly successful and diverse teams built on solid values and strong cultures.

Listen Now

Listen Online

https://schoolnutrition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Doug-M.-and-Alisa-R.mp3

Take the CEU Quiz
(must log into SNA account to access)

Bonus Episode

Lori's Leadership Legacy: SNA CEO Patti Montague Interviews
SNA's 2022-23 President Lori Adkins
Release date: January 1, 2024
In this bonus episode of School Food for Thought, Patti Montague, the CEO of the School Nutrition Association (SNA), engages in a captivating conversation with Lori Adkins, the SNA 2022-2023 President, during the Annual National Conference held in Denver. Lori reflects on her leadership journey, the highlights of her career, and her whirlwind year as the president of the School Nutrition Association.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the field of school nutrition. Lori's insights into the challenges and opportunities are both informative and inspiring. Her passion for improving the lives of students through healthy and nutritious meals is evident throughout the conversation.

So, tune in to this engaging discussion between two accomplished leaders. You won't regret it!

Listen Now

Listen Online

https://schoolnutrition.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Podcast-Episode6.mp3

Take the CEU Quiz
(must log into SNA account to access)

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School Food for Thought Podcast - School Nutrition Association

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Introducing School Food for Thought, the School Nutrition Association's podcast and your newest source of insights and knowledge about school nutrition, K-12 foodservice and the latest industry trends. Join us as we dive into fascinating conversations with school nutrition leaders who share their experiences and expertise on a wide range...

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School Nutrition Association - School Meal Statistics

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School Nutrition Association - School Meal Statistics

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School Meal Statistics - School Nutrition Association

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Featured Info & Statistics More Than Just Lunch School Meals During the Pandemic Supply Chain & Financial Challenges Benefits of School Meals Participation, Meals Served and Program Cost Reimbursement Rates Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals School Meal Prices and Unpaid Meals Cost to Produce School Meals Lunch Period...

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United States Department of Agriculture - Food and Nutrition Services 

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United States Department of Agriculture - Food and Nutrition Services 

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People often call the Child Nutrition Division to ask questions about how benefits are provided under the school meal programs or to find out what schools are required to do to receive reimbursement under these programs. This page provides answers to many of these questions. The questions and answers are arranged by category. If you do not find the information you are looking for or if you want a more technical explanation, you should contact the agency that administers the programs in your state.

Requirements for Meal Content and Quality

What items must be part of a school lunch or breakfast?

School meals are required to meet specific nutrition standards to operate the school meals programs. The standards align school meals with the latest nutrition science and the real world circumstances of America's schools. (For more information on the standards available to school menu planners, visit the Healthy Meals Resource System.)

Do children have to select everything that is offered?

By law, children in high school must be permitted to decline lunch items they do not intend to eat. The program regulations allow schools to elect to extend this permission to elementary and junior high school children as well. This means that high school children may decline as many as two of the five items in a food-based lunch, and younger children may decline one or two items depending on local policy. For breakfast, a child may decline one item regardless of which menu planning option is used.

What can be done to improve the meals served in schools?

We recognize that school meals must look and taste good if children are going to eat them. To address this need, we have developed and distributed a wide range of materials designed to provide local meal planners with recipes and other tools to help them prepare appealing school meals. To learn more about these materials, visit the Healthy Meals Resource System. To learn about education materials designed for children and their families, search for Team Nutrition resources.

We are also actively working with our state partners to provide training and technical assistance to local schools. Ultimately, however, this issue is most effectively addressed at the local level through the efforts of concerned parents. We actively encourage parents to become involved in their children's school meals and to bring concerns and suggestions to the attention of local officials. Following is a checklist of ten steps that parents should take to ensure that school meals are healthy, nutritious and appealing.

1. Eat breakfast or lunch at school with your children. See what the meals are like. Notice the atmosphere. If you don't like what you see, do something.

2. Make your opinions heard. Talk to other parents. Work with your PTA and school board to support healthy school meals.

3. Go to the principal. Discuss the importance of good nutrition and physical activity. Suggest programs. Ask for cooperation. Most importantly, follow through.

4. Get a weekly menu of school meals. Ask for the nutrition facts so you can be sure the menu meets the official Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Keep the menu magnetized to your refrigerator. Discuss all the healthy choices with your children.

5. Visit the school cafeteria. Get to know the staff. Let them know you value their services and appreciate good daily nutrition for your child.

6. Show your children and their friends where healthy food comes from. Help your school start an edible landscape with a garden of goodies like fruits, vegetables and herbs.

7. Volunteer to organize a classroom tasting party to introduce and encourage nutritious new foods the children may never have tried.

8. Get involved. Form a parent advisory committee for school meals. Recruit enthusiastic "can do" people to work with you.

9. Make sure your children appreciate how healthy breakfasts and lunches serve their minds as well as their bodies.

10. Listen to what your children are learning at school about good nutrition. You can help them put their knowledge to work at home, too.

Accommodations for Children with Special Dietary Needs

Are schools required to make menu substitutions for children who cannot eat the regular lunch or breakfast?

Federal law and the regulations for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program require schools to make accommodations for children who are unable to eat the school meal as prepared because of a disability. Accommodation generally involves substituting food items, but in some cases schools may need to make more far reaching accommodations to meet the needs of children. For example, some children may need to have the texture modified.

In order to make substitutions for items in reimbursable meals, the school must have on file a written statement signed by a licensed physician indicating what the child's disability is, what foods must be omitted from the child's diet, and what foods must be substituted.

Schools may, at their option, make substitutions for persons who have special needs that do not meet the definition of disability under Federal law. In these instances, the school must have a written statement signed by a recognized medical authority (e.g., nurse or physician's assistant) indicating what foods should be substituted.

The purpose of requiring a written statement is two-fold. First, it ensures that the nutrition integrity of the school meal will not be compromised by the substitution. More importantly, it ensures that decisions about specific food substitutes are made by persons who are highly qualified to prescribe them. Therefore, this requirement helps to protect both the child and the food service personnel who are working to meet the child's needs.

Who qualifies as a physician or other recognized medical authority?

A physician is a person licensed by the state to practice medicine. The term includes osteopathic physicians or doctors of osteopathic medicine. These are fully trained physicians who are licensed by the state to prescribe medication or to perform surgery. A recognized medical authority is a licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or other health professional specified by the state agency.

Free and Reduced Price Meals

What are the eligibility standards for free and reduced price meals?

Schools are required to serve meals at no charge to children whose household income is at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Children are entitled to pay a reduced price if their household income is above 130 percent but at or below 185 percent of these guidelines. Children are automatically eligible for free school meals if their household receives food stamps, benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or, in most cases, benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

What income is counted in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals?

For the most part, all income actually received by the household is counted. This includes salary, public assistance benefits, social security payments, pensions, unemployment compensation and the like. The only exceptions are benefits under Federal programs which, by law, are excluded from consideration; in-kind benefits, such as military on-base housing (but not military housing allowances); certain kinds of assistance for students and irregular income from occasional small jobs such as baby-sitting or lawn mowing. For complete information, contact the school or the agency that administers the school nutrition programs in your state.

If a child and the child's parent live with the child's grandparent, must the grandparent's income be included on the application for free and reduced price meals?

A household is defined as a group of related or unrelated individuals who are not residents of an institution or boarding house but who are living as one economic unit. This means they generally reside in the same house and share expenses such as rent, utilities and food. In this example, therefore, the grandparent's income would be considered along with any income received by the parent. The principal exception to this rule would be payments for foster children, who live with a household but remain the legal responsibility of the court or welfare agency. In these situations, the child is considered to be a "household of one", and only the income actually made available to the child for personal expenses is counted in making the eligibility determination.

How are cases of joint custody treated?

When joint custody has been awarded and the child physically changes residence, the child is considered part of the household where she/he resides. In these situations, if both parents apply for benefits in the same LEA for the child, and different eligibility statuses result, the greatest benefit level is used. For example, if the mother's situation results in eligibility for free meals but the father's application is denied, the child would receive free meals regardless of which parent had custody at the time.

Denial of Meals

Are schools required to replace meal tickets if they are lost or stolen?

Schools may limit the number of meal tickets (or other media of exchange) they will replace for each child. If a school does elect to establish a limit on replacements for children eligible for free or reduced price meals, it must meet the following requirements. First, each child must be allowed a minimum of three replacements each school year. Secondly, parents and students must be advised in writing at the time of application that the school is adopting this policy. Thirdly, the school must maintain a list of children who have reported lost and stolen tickets and the number of occurrences for each child. Prior to denying a replacement, the list must be checked to see if the child has reached the limit on replacements. Finally, at least one advance warning must be given to the child and his or her parents prior to refusing to replace a ticket.

Schools must always provide meals to preprimary and younger primary students or to students with disabilities that may make them unable to take full responsibility for their meal tickets. The school may also, at its option make appropriate alternate meal arrangements, such as accompanying the child through the line, in lieu of actually issuing a replacement ticket.

While we recommend that schools adopt a similar policy for children who pay the full price for their meals, they are not required to do so. However, if the school does not have a uniform policy for all children, it must take care to ensure that needy children are not overtly identified because of the replacements or arrangements.

Can schools refuse to serve a child who pays the full price but forgets his or her money?

All full price pricing policies for school meals are matters of local discretion. This includes decisions about whether or not to extend credit to children who forget their meal money or whether or not to provide an alternate meal to such children. Therefore, a school could decide not to provide meals to children who must pay the full price for their meals but do not have the money to do so.

However, while schools are not obligated to provide meals to children who forget their money, USDA encourages schools to be flexible in this area, particularly with young children and children with disabilities who may be unable to take full responsibility for their money. We encourage schools to provide some credit for these children or serve an alternate meal. In some cases, the PTA or other school organization may establish a fund to pay for children who forget or lose their money. At a minimum, schools should ensure that parents are fully aware of the policy adopted for children who do not have their meal money.

Also See

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People often call the Child Nutrition Division to ask questions about how benefits are provided under the school meal programs or to find out what schools are required to do to receive reimbursement under these programs. This page provides answers to many of these questions. The questions and answers are arranged by category.

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What School Lunches Look Like Around the World - Food Insider

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What School Lunches Look Like Around the World - Food Insider

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What School Lunch Looks Like Around The World | Around The World | Food Insider