Advocacy/Organizing Resources

LOCAL WELLNESS POLICY Information

In the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, the U.S. Congress established a new requirement that ALL school districts participating in Federal breakfast or lunch programs must develop and implement wellness policies that address nutrition and physical activity by the start of the 2006-2007 school year. Click here to read the legislation.

These wellness policies must include several items, but the key items are:

• nutrition guidelines for ALL foods available on each school campus under the local educational agency during the school day with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity
  
  
• involves PARENTS, STUDENTS, representatives of the school food authority, the school board, school administrators, and THE PUBLIC in the development of the school wellness policy.

To get involved send the Nutrition in the Schools Network an email. We maintain a list of contacts in several districts west and soutwest of Chicago. You could also start with the Superintendent's office, the business office, or food service office.

While school districts will have SOME policy by August 2006, that doesn't mean it's the best policy. And, many districts are including only the minimum, general guidelines required by the law, and leaving all of the important details for the future. Finally, implementation is critical; a policy without implementation is meaningless.

So, there is much to do even after August 2006!

For more information, you can:

• Find out if your school district participates in federally-funded school meal programs. The Illinois State Board of Education maintains a website that provides information about the nutrition programs in all school districts. All Superintendents in districts participating in federally-funded school meal programs have received a letter from the USDA, CDC, and DOE explaining this new federal requirement.
  
  NOTE: Even if your school district does not participate in federally-funded school meal programs, and so is not required to have a wellness policy, this new legislation provides an opportunity for you to raise the question: "Don't you think it is a good for our students and shouldn't we do it even if it is not required?"
  
  
• Read the new legislation.
  
  
• Read sample wellness policies. Many organizations are doing this, and the sample policies reflect the agendas of those organizations. We recommend the sample policy developed by the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity. See also the USDA Team Nutrition website on Local Wellness Policy.

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