Food Assistance & Nutrition Research Program No. (FANRR-34-5) 3 pp

July 2003

Food Assistance Research Brief-A Healthy School Meal Environment

by Katherine Ralston, Jean C. Buzby, and Joanne Guthrie

This report examines how schools can foster an environment that encourages healthy food choices by participants in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Environmental factors that are considered to be important in affecting those choices include (1) the nutritional quality, variety, and acceptability of program meals; (2) meal scheduling; (3) nutrition education; and (4) sales of non-USDA foods.

Keywords: National School Lunch Program, NSLP, School Breakfast Program, SBP, welfare, anti-poverty programs, food assistance programs, nutrition, dietary and health effects, poor families

In this publication...