Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools
The school environment is one of several settings that can influence children’s food choices and eating habits. Schools can ensure that the available food and beverage options are healthy and help youth eat food that meets dietary recommendations for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat dairy products.
To provide schools with guidance on improving the foods and beverages offered to students, the CDC conducted a study with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to review the science and make recommendations about nutrition standards for foods and beverages offered in direct competition with school-provided meals and snacks. The study resulted in a report entitled, Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way toward Healthier Youth.
Fact Sheets
Using the findings of the IOM Report, CDC developed a set of four audience-specific fact sheets as a resource for school staff, parents, and youth to use to support and develop strong nutrition standards that can impact the health of students at school. These fact sheets are designed to answer commonly asked questions about the report and provide recommendations for implementing the nutrition standards.
- For Parents, Guardians, Teachers, and School Staff [pdf 1.5M]
- For School Boards, School Districts, and Other School Administrators [pdf 482K]
- For School Nutrition Service Personnel [pdf 2.6M]
- For Students [pdf 826K]
What You Can Do
Use CDC’s fact sheet series as a resource to help develop and support strong nutrition standards for foods and beverages in schools:
- Review your school wellness policy to help ensure that the nutrition guidelines align with the IOM standards and that students have access to healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or nonfat dairy during each school day.
- Examine the actual foods and beverages that are available to students—including foods and beverages sold in vending machines, school stores, snack bars and as à la carte items—and determine whether they meet the nutrition standards.
- Educate students about nutrition and offer and promote healthy food and beverage choices that meet the nutrition standards.
Contact Us:
- Division of Adolescent and School Health
4770 Buford Hwy, NE
MS K29
Atlanta, GA 30341 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
Hours of Operation
8am-8pm
ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
