Change is happening in our schools, and the beverage industry is taking a leading role to support the development of school wellness policies based on the national School Beverage Guidelines.
Wellness Policies
Faced with a growing childhood obesity challenge, the 108th Congress voted to reauthorize the National School Lunch Program as part of the larger Child Nutrition Act. Under reauthorization, the program included a new policy initiative intended to create a healthier atmosphere in the nation’s schools through nutritional education, increased physical activity and the development of healthy habits.
This policy initiative, which began on July 1, 2006, mandates that school districts participating in the school lunch program must establish “local school wellness policies.” These policies must include goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and school-based activities that promote student wellness. The wellness policies must also include nutrition guidelines established by the school districts for all foods available on campus throughout the day, with the objective of promoting health and reducing obesity.
Promoting School Wellness
Congress did not dictate what should be included in these nutrition guidelines. Instead, the policy initiative requires that one or more persons within the district, or at each school, must be designated to oversee the wellness policy. In addition, the involvement of parents, students, school food service personnel, school administrators and the public is required in creating the wellness policies.
The beverage companies are out front leading the food and beverage industry on school wellness issues. We recognize the unique educational setting of schools and have developed guidelines that will help teach students the importance of a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Our national School Beverage Guidelines would make for a strong component of any local school wellness policy.
The following informational materials are downloadable in .pdf format:
State Laws & Regulations Governing Beverage Sales in Schools