Why Healthy Nutrition in Schools?

Why Healthy Nutrition in Schools? Jessica Donze Black RD, MPH Director, Kids Safe and Healthful Foods Project jblack@pewtrusts.org www.healthyschoolfoodsnow.org

Schools have a lot on their plate…. School Improvement Plans • Test scores Common Core Enrichment Safety Overcrowding IEPs Bullying Technology

NUTRITION? • Most students consume as many as half of their calories at school. • Studies show that students who eat school lunches eat healthier than those who do not – they get more fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy. • Nationally, 94% of elementary schools, 96% of middle schools, and 73% of high schools have closed campuses, which means that the food on campus is the food available to them during the day. • Healthy students have better attendance and do better on standardized exams.

First, we updated the school meal standards and got a few questions…. • Are kids getting enough to eat? • Meal intended to meet 1/3 of daily needs of average student. • Up to 850 calories in High School. • Previous average was 857 so not that different in total – just coming from some healthier sources. • Why is the Federal Government setting nutrition guidelines for meals? • It’s a Federally funded program and USDA has been setting standards for meals since 1946. • Will kids really eat foods that meet these standards? • It may take some clever marketing and change management but young people will absolutely eat healthier foods.

Now, it’s been nearly 2 years and the evidence shows the new standards are working… • Some schools faced initial challenges, but both KSHF and GAO reports showed that most districts anticipated being able to overcome the challenges they were facing. • 90% of districts are meeting updated standards • A recent Harvard study demonstrates that children are consuming more fruits and vegetables and despite anecdotal reports…plate waste has NOT increased.

Next step: make sure the rest of the foods in school are healthy, too. • Sixty-two percent of public elementary students and nearly all high school students can purchase “competitive” foods or beverages on campus. • Less-healthy competitive products are commonly available: • 44 percent of public elementary school students can buy foods such as potato chips, candy, cookies or french fries; • 17 percent could buy sugar-sweetened beverages • 38 percent could buy high-fat milks through vending machines, à la carte lines or other competitive venues on campus. • In states with strong snack food laws, children gained less weight over a 3-year period compared to states without strong laws.

Parents want to know that their children have healthy options during the school day • 80% of the voters surveyed favor national standards to limit the calories, fat content and sodium in food served in U.S. schools, while encouraging more fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy items

Healthy Nutrition Standards are win-win for Parents and Schools

What can you do? • Get involved in your school, community, and state! • What are your state/local snack and a la carte standards and is it time to update them? • Do parents know about and support healthier nutrition standards? • Already doing great work? Share your story and support other schools!

Next steps? • Watch your PTA updates and follow us at www.healthyschoolfoodsnow.org • Follow us on twitter @JDonzeBlack_Pew jblack@pewtrusts.org

Why Healthy Nutrition in Schools?