School Wellness Policies

Overview


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A local school wellness policy (LSWP) is a written document of official policies that guide a local educational agency's (LEA) or school district’s efforts to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity. The responsibility for LSWP development is at the local level to allow each school district and institution to address their unique needs.

The local SWP requirement was effective with school year 2006-07, as established by the Child Nutrition and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265). This law requires that all schools and institutions participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) must develop a LSWP that promotes the health of students and addresses the growing problem of childhood obesity.  Section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 strengthened the LSWP law by adding requirements for public participation, transparency, and implementation. These requirements were effective August 29, 2016, under the USDA's final rule, Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the HHFKA of 2010,

Required LSWP Elements

At a minimum, the LSWP must include the areas below.

  • Nutrition and physical activity goals: 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.
  • Foods and beverages sold to students: 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 the school meal nutrition standards and Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
  • Foods and beverages provided to students: 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).
  • Food and beverage marketing: 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.
  • Public involvement: Description of public involvement, public updates, policy leadership, and evaluation plan.

LEA Requirements

LEAs must also meet the LSWP requirements below.

  • Wellness Leadership: LEAs must establish wellness policy leadership of one or more LEA and/or school officials who have the authority and responsibility to ensure each school complies with the LSWP.
  • Public Involvement: At a minimum, LEAs must permit participation by the general public and the school community (including parents, students, and representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, and school administrators) in the LSWP process.
  • Triennial Assessments: State agencies are required to assess compliance with the LSWP requirements as a part of the general areas of the administrative review every three years. LEAs must conduct an assessment of the LSWP every three years, at a minimum. This assessment determines compliance with the LSWP, how the wellness policy compares to model wellness policies, and progress made in attaining the goals of the LSWP.
  • Documentation: The state agency will examine records during the administrative review, including a copy of the current LSWP, documentation on how the LSWP and assessments are made available to the public, the most recent assessment of LSWP implementation, and documentation of efforts to review and update the LSWP, including who was involved in the process and how stakeholders were made aware of their ability to participate.
  • Updates to the Wellness Policy: The final rule requires that LEAs update or modify the wellness policy as appropriate.
  • Public Updates: LEAs must make the LSWP available to the public on an annual basis, at a minimum, including any updates to and about the wellness policy. LEAs must also make the Triennial Assessment available to the public, including progress toward meeting the goals of the policy.