The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 mandated that school districts participating in any federally reimbursed school meal programs develop a local school wellness policy by the beginning of the 2006-07 school year. This brief, published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, summarizes key results from early research on the implementation of these policies,
Published: June 2009
ID #: 1025
Publisher: Healthy Eating Research
Authors: Belansky E, Chriqui J, Schwartz M
Keywords: Academic achievement, Competitive foods, Food service, Nutrition standards, Physical activity, School meal programs, School wellness policies, Snacks
Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)
Focus Areas: Nutrition Policy & Programs, School & After School
Resource Type: Research Review
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