Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0014 Local School Wellness Policy: Guidance and Q&As

Local educational agencies participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program are required to develop a local school wellness policy that promotes the health of students and addresses the problem of childhood obesity.

SP24-2017
04/06/2017
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010; Approval of Information Collection Request

The final rule titled Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 was published on July 29, 2016. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cleared the associated information collection requirements on Sept. 12, 2016. This document announces approval of the ICR.

01/09/2017
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the HHFKA of 2010

This final rule requires all local educational agencies that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to meet expanded local school wellness policy requirements consistent with the requirements set forth in section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010.

07/29/2016
Resource | Proposed Rule Proposed Rule: Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

This proposed rule would require all local educational agencies participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or the School Breakfast Program to meet expanded local school wellness policy requirements consistent with the new requirements set forth in section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

02/26/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0066 Direct Certification and Zero Benefit Households

Section 9(b)(12)(A)(i) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act restricts categorical eligibility for free school meals based on SNAP participation to children who are members of a household receiving assistance under SNAP. Therefore, a child who is a member of a household that is receiving “zero benefits” from SNAP is not categorically eligible for free meals, unless the child is categorically eligible for another reason.

SP03-2012
10/25/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0046 Local School Wellness Policies

This memorandum provides information on the new requirements for local wellness policies so that local educational agencies can begin reviewing their policies for the coming school year 2011-12, and begin moving forward on implementing the new requirements.

SP42-2011
07/08/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0003 Letter Method for Direct Certification

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement a provision affecting mandatory direct certification for children in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households.

SP13-2011
01/14/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0056 Local Wellness Policy Letter to State Director

In Section 204 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, each local educational agency participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 is required to establish a local wellness policy for schools under the LEA, not later than the first day of the school year beginning after June 30, 2006.

SP04-2006
11/29/2005
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2004-0031 Verification of Income Eligibility – Reauthorization 2004 Implementation

Effective July 1, 2004, school officials verifying income eligibility for free and reduced price meals must allow households to provide documentation of income for any point in time between the month prior to application and the time the household is required to provide income documentation.

SP5-2004
08/25/2004
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2004-0019 Duration of Households’ Free and Reduced Price Meal Eligibility Determination - Reauthorization 2004: Implementation Memo - SP 3

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 specifies that households’ eligibility for free and reduced price meals shall remain in effect beginning on the date of eligibility for the current school year and ending on a date during the subsequent school year, as determined by the Secretary.

Reauthorization 2004: Implementation Memo - SP 3
07/07/2004
Page updated: October 14, 2021