PolicyOptions.org

In the United States, nearly one-third of children and teens are overweight or obese. Because children consume a significant portion of their daily calories at school, the nutritional quality of school meals and competitive foods, such as those offered in vending machines, a la carte lines and school stores, is under particular scrutiny. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets nutrition standards for its two major school meal programs but currently has limited authority to update existing nutrition standards for competitive foods. Some states and local school districts have developed their own competitive food policies, but the national requirements for foods outside of school meal programs are 30 years old and no longer reflect current nutrition science, dietary patterns and public health concerns.