Local wellness policies are an important tool for parents, local education agencies (LEAs) and school districts in promoting student wellness, preventing and reducing childhood obesity, and providing assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the minimum federal school meal standards. Section 204 of theHealthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296, expands the scope of wellness policies; brings in additional stakeholders in its development, implementation and review; and requires public updates on the content and implementation of the wellness policies.
As of School Year 2006-2007, all districts were required to establish a local school wellness policy. For School Year 2011-2012, LEAs are encouraged to review their local wellness policies and begin implementing the new requirements.
Implementation Guidance Memo (7/8/11)
Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2010: Local School Wellness Policies - This memorandum provides information on the new requirements for local school wellness policies and recommended actions beginning School Year 2011-2012.
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is working with the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools of the Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to provide technical assistance to local educational agencies, school food authorities, and state educational agencies to meet these new local school wellness policy requirements.
This portion of our site will continue to be updated to reflect the requirements of the 2010 law. The 2004 Local Wellness Policyresources may still be used by local educational agencies in building upon their existing local wellness policies.