Healthy Eating Index scores range from 0 to 100 and are a measure of diet quality used to assess how well a set of foods aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A higher score is ideal. The FDPIR Food Package scores an 84. This is higher than the average U.S. diet, which scores a 59.
School meals, and the school nutrition professionals that provide them, help children be strong physically and mentally. Celebrate the school community and promote healthy foods with these fun new school meals materials.
USDA and the Biden Administration are committed to supporting nutrition security – consistent access to nutritious foods that promote good health – through the federal nutrition assistance programs. School nutrition professionals have made incredible strides in strengthening child nutrition over the past decade; research shows school meals are the healthiest meals children eat in a day!
Here are some ways USDA is proposing to make school meals even more nourishing, while still keeping them appealing to kids.
USDA is proposing science-based updates to the school meal standards to make them even more nourishing for kids, yet feasible for our school meal partners. This infographic shows the proposed implementation timeline for updating the school meal standards.
School meals are one of the most important tools for ensuring children have access to healthy and nutritious food. USDA strengthened school meal standards in 2012. Research on the impact of these changes emphasizes why we must support nutritious school meals.
This infographic conveys evidence-based data from about the School Breakfast Program and the benefits of eating breakfast.
This infographic highlights how meals and snacks served as part of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) can provide children with the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and play.
USDA Foods data collected via the WBSCM system and FFAVORS were analyzed to conduct analyses on food purchases and spending at the national and state levels for four school years. These infographics display national data for school years 2017-2018 and include information on USDA Foods direct delivery, USDA Foods bulk for processing, and the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
USDA Foods data collected via the WBSCM system and FFAVORS were analyzed to conduct analyses on food purchases and spending at the national and state levels for four school years. These infographics display national data for school years 2017-2018 and include information on USDA Foods direct delivery, USDA Foods bulk for processing, and the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.