What is the Local Wellness Policy?
The local wellness policy (LWP) is a written plan that districts use to support the health and well-being of students throughout the school day. USDA programs such as the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are required to develop and implement a wellness policy.
The LWP enables districts to cultivate a healthy school environment that promotes nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based wellness initiatives while allowing input from parents, staff, administration, and community stakeholders. An effectively written wellness policy provides students and families with varied opportunities to engage in healthy practices within the school environment.
Local Wellness Policy Tools for Districts
Districts can use this optional tool to assess or update elements of their LWP to ensure compliance with all requirements.
Districts must review their wellness policy at least once every three years and provide assessment documentation. The evaluation should address the following areas:
- Compliance with the district policy
- Comparison of the district policy to the Model Wellness Policy and,
- Progress toward attaining wellness policy goals
Districts must share the results of the Triennial Assessment with the public.
Districts must assess how their wellness policy compares to the Model Policy at least once every three years. This tool helps districts identify strengths, areas of improvement, and any other areas they want to work on in the future. The results can be included within the Triennial Assessment or shared as a separate document.
Stakeholder Engagement Resources
These resources provide strategies to help increase stakeholder engagement through wellness teams, school or district-wide activities, and community involvement. Please share these resources with the current and potential partners in your wellness work, your wellness committees, coordinators, and any additional staff.
Local School Wellness Policy Communications Toolkit
The Local School Wellness Policy Communications Toolkit assists districts and schools with communicating components of the local wellness policy with clear and consistent messaging. The toolkit includes an infographic, videos, and one-page slides for social media posts or presentations. Use these engaging resources to encourage stakeholder involvement and promote wellness in the school community.
Wellness webinars, e-Learning series recordings, and resource documents are available in the School Nutrition Training Catalog to assist districts and schools with strategies for wellness policy promotion and initiatives. Please contact Adrienne Holloway, Wellness Support Specialist, for support or feedback on your wellness policy.
Wellness Policy Resources