School Food: Participation Trends and Nutrition Implementation Issues

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 required the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update nutrition standards for school lunches and breakfasts and add standards for other food sold in schools, known as competitive foods. In response, USDA set new nutrition requirements, including limits on calories, sodium, and fats. Previously, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported on the implementation of changes to school lunches in school year 2012-2013. Since then, additional requirements for lunches have taken effect, as well as new requirements for breakfasts and competitive foods. GAO was asked to review implementation of the nutrition changes to school food. This book reviews recent trends in school meals participation; challenges School Food Authorities (SFAs) faced in implementing the new requirements for school meals; challenges SFAs and districts faced in implementing new requirements for competitive foods; and USDA assistance in implementing the changes.