LEGISLATION & WELLNESS POLICIES
Legislation
Legislative Update
Wellness Policies
On November 21, 2005 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published an interim final rule clarifying certain provisions of the Child Nutrition Act of 2004. The new rule is meant to prohibit direct or indirect restrictions on the sale or marketing of fluid milk on school premises or at school-sponsored events, at any time or in any place, in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The interim final rule, published in the Federal Register, nullifies "exclusivity clauses" and empowers schools to renegotiate or amend existing contracts with their carbonated beverage suppliers that include exclusivity clauses. In addition, this rule prohibits the inclusion of exclusivity clauses in future contracts.
Another important change to the law stipulates that only 100% fluid milk (white or flavored) is part of this regulation. The original legislative language included beverages with at least 51% milk. This clarification effectively limits new partial milk-based beverages from enjoying the same status as calcium- and nutrient-rich 100% milk. The inclusion of milk-based beverages in a school’s beverage mix cannot exclude or replace 100% fluid milk. Click here to view the interim ruling in its entirety.
New federal and state legislation calls on schools to boost the nutritional content of school foodservice offerings and to give kids a healthier array of choices. Milk can be the solution for schools — it fulfills program requirements and its many flavors and package sizes allow for flexibility.
A number of state legislatures are also examining key issues involving added sugars, fat levels and package sizes that could ultimately affect school milk programs, so it's important to stay abreast of critical developments. Milk plays a crucial role in a student's diet. Be careful when restricting the size of packaging, sugar levels and fat contents in beverages since these limitations could eliminate your ability to serve milk that students will choose. Click here for more info on milk's role in your Wellness Policy.
This section features a round-up of the latest federal and state legislation and wellness policies and how milk can help your school meet its child nutrition goals.
Legislative Update
| We are working on updating the state and national info. To be determined. This list includes states that have legislation regarding nutrition in schools that is either pending or that has recently become law. Check this site often — it's updated as new legislation is presented. |
Developing a Wellness Policy
Under a 2004 federal law, all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program must have developed a local wellness policy that involves parents, students, a representative from the School Food Authority, school board, school administrators and the public by the first day of the 2006 school year.
The Local Education Authority (LEA) will establish a plan for measuring implementation of the local wellness policy, which includes goals for:
- Nutrition education, in curriculum, health and nutrition promotion, school environment, cafeteria as a classroom, and using community resources
- Physical activity, including during recess, Phys Ed and before and after school wellness activities
- Providing assurance that school meals at least meet federally established standards.
- Including nutrition guidelines for all foods available on campus, and ensuring consistency with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
- Including school meals, a la carte, vending, student stores, concession stands, classroom parties and special events, fundraising events - including added sugar and fat levels)
- Following the creation of the policy, one or more persons are designated to oversee the implementation and evaluation of the policy recommendations.
State and regional school representative will be working with schools to develop wellness policies. A sample local wellness policy and guidelines are available from the School Nutrition Association's website. Click here for information and sample policies your school can use.
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New year long campaign targeted to women, mothers and athletes.
Grocery: Click here
Drug & C-Store: Click here
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The Music to Move You – New for the ’07/’08 School Year. Posters, Clings and Banners encourage teens to drink more milk. Materials ship automatically to your school. Read more
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Halloween 2007
It's back! Retailers: Chocolate Milk - the Official Drink of Halloween promotion is back, just in time for increased sales. Find out more. |
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To learn more about milk's role in good nutrition, 
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