School Nutrition Standards Media Toolkit

Videos

Sample Social Media Content

The following outreach content can be used to share how USDA is supporting the health and well-being of America’s children through updating school meal nutrition standards.

• #DYK Research shows that school meals are the most nutritious food source for American children—thanks in large part to the work of school nutrition professionals, parents, school meal partners, the food industry, and USDA to make school meals healthier over the past decade.
• New updates to school meals focus on giving kids the right balance of nutrients, while reducing the amounts of added sugars in menu items, especially at breakfast. Learn more about the gradual changes.
• #DYK: For the first time, added sugars will be limited in school meals nationwide. USDA heard concerns from parents and teachers about excessive amounts of added sugars in some foods, and research shows that these added sugars are common in typical school breakfast items. Learn more.
• The updates to school nutrition standards will provide children with less sugars and sodium, which are too high in the American diet, and continue to provide nutritious foods including fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Learn more.
• Current nutrition standards for whole grains are not changing! Schools will continue to offer students a variety of nutrient-rich whole grains and have the option to offer some enriched grains to meet students’ cultural and taste preferences. Learn more.
• We will continue to do everything we can to provide support that improves the nutritional quality of school meals across America. Learn about the financial support that USDA is providing to schools. #schoolmeals
• We are committed to promoting #NutritionSecurity for all kids, ensuring they have consistent access to nutritious foods and beverages that support their health and well-being. Learn more about the updated school nutrition standards. #schoolmeals 

Social Media Tiles

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Updated Standards

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Added Sugars

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Milk

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Sodium

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Whole Grains

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Quotes from Partners

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Sample Newsletter Article

Biden-Harris Administration Announces New School Meal Standards to Strengthen Child Nutrition

Biden-Harris Administration Announces New School Meal Standards to Strengthen Child Nutrition

K-12 schools serve nutritious breakfasts and lunches to nearly 30 million children every school day. These meals are the main source of nutrition for more than half of these children and help improve child health. That’s why the USDA is gradually updating the nutrition standards for school meals to include less sugar – for the first time – and more menu planning options between Fall 2025 and Fall 2027.

The USDA arrived at these changes after listening closely to public feedback and considering the latest science-based recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This gradual approach will give schools, kids, and industry plenty of time to adjust. School meals will continue to include fruits and vegetables, emphasize whole grains, and give kids the right balance of nutrients for healthy, tasty meals.

Implementation timeline for updating school meal standards:

• Spring 2024
  USDA issues final rule on long-term school nutrition standards after listening to public feedback and following recommendations from the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Fall 2024
  Schools will have additional menu options that will make it easier to offer local, vegetarian, and culturally appropriate menu items. No changes to flavored milk standards.
• Fall 2025
  Limit on added sugars in cereals, yogurt, and milk. Schools will still be able to offer flavored milk with limits on added sugars.
• Fall 2026
  There are no required changes; schools can voluntarily continue to gradually reduce added sugars and sodium.
• Fall 2027
  No more than 10% of the weekly calories can come from added sugars. There will also be a 10% reduction in sodium for breakfast and a 15% reduction in sodium for lunch.

For more information about how school meals will be strengthened, visit CN Rule Updates.

Downloadable Infographics