A: According to national School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS) 2014 data:

• Seventy-four percent of schools sell soft drinks to students (this figure includes all venues, not just during the school day).
• Nearly one fourth (22%) of schools allow soft drink companies to advertise soft drinks on vending machines. This percentage is higher among high schools, compared with middle and elementary schools.
• The percentage of schools that hold fundraiser nights at fast food restaurants has increased from 25% to 37% since 2006. Over one half of schools sell baked goods not low in fat (e.g., cookies) for school fundraisers.
• Students can purchase fruits or vegetables from vending machines, school stores, or snack bars in only 6% of schools.
• Fewer than one fourth (23.2%) of schools have a policy stating that if food is served at student parties, then fruits or vegetables will be among the foods offered. Only 5.1% of schools have a similar policy related to concession stands.
• Less than one half (46.6%) of schools prohibit or actively discourage staff from using food or food coupons as a reward for good behavior or good academic performance. [Providing or withholding food should not be used to reward or punish students.]

Source: Data from the 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study [SHPPS]

A: The standards are established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The last update, through the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, included revisions that reflect the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. These changes include:

• Ensuring students are offered fruits and vegetables every day of the week.
• Substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods.
• Offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties.
• Limiting calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size.
• Increasing the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats, and sodium.

A: The standards, required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, require schools to offer healthier snack foods and beverages while limiting junk food. All foods and beverages sold at school during the school day must meet nutrition standards, including foods and beverages sold à la carte and in vending machines.

A: In addition to nutrition education classes, there are a number of ways schools can provide opportunities for students to learn about healthy eating. For example, schools can establish vegetable gardens or provide taste testing opportunities to introduce and sample new and nutritious foods.

A: Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program are required to make free drinking water available to students during lunch where the lunch meals are served. Schools participating in the School Breakfast Program must make drinking water available when breakfast is served in the cafeteria. In addition to these requirements, CDC recommends that schools make drinking water available throughout the school day by providing access to water fountains, dispensers, and hydration stations throughout the school; ensuring that water fountains are clean and properly maintained; and allowing students to have water bottles in class or to go to the water fountain if they need to drink water.