This paper describes some of the ways that agricultural policies influence what foods (and how much of them) are produced and eaten in the United States. In doing so, the authors identify key factors that contribute to the negative trends in obesity and also offer possible strategies for revising policies to reverse these trends.
Published: February 2007
ID #: 1005
Publisher: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Authors: Muller M, Schoonover H, Wallinga D
Keywords: Commodity foods, Competitive foods, Farm, Food systems, Fruits and vegetables, School meal programs, Sugar-sweetened beverages, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
State: National
Focus Areas: Nutrition Policy & Programs, Pricing & Economics, School & After School
Resource Type: Report
Related Research
December 2025
From Policy to Plate: Implications of 2025 U.S. Federal Policy Changes on School Meals
School meals are a cornerstone of the United States’ nutrition safety net for children from low-income families, providing nearly 30 million lunches daily. However, recent U.S. policy actions may limit access to school meals for children who need them most. This commentary, published in the Nutrients Special Issue The Influence of School Meals on Children MoreDecember 2025
Ultra-Processed Foods in School Meals: Challenges and Opportunities
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are ubiquitous in the U.S. food supply, while growing evidence shows that UPFs harm children’s health. Schools offer a promising setting to introduce UPF regulation and reduce the availability of UPFs. This brief explores the issue of UPFs in school meals and identifies opportunities and challenges to replace UPFs with more fresh MoreNovember 2025