[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10693-10706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04100]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 10693]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service

7 CFR Parts 210 and 220

RIN 0584-AE25


Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the Healthy, 
Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would require all local educational 
agencies participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or the 
School Breakfast Program to meet expanded local school wellness policy 
requirements consistent with the new requirements set forth in section 
204 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This proposed rule 
would establish the framework for the content of the local school 
wellness policies, ensure stakeholder participation in the development 
of such policies, and require periodic assessment of compliance and 
reporting on the progress toward achieving the goals of the local 
school wellness policy. This proposed rule would also require local 
educational agencies, as part of the local school wellness policy, to 
implement policies for the marketing of foods and beverages on the 
school campus during the school day consistent with nutrition standards 
for Smart Snacks. Additionally, this proposed rule would require each 
local educational agency to make information about local school 
wellness policy implementation for all participating schools available 
to the public on a periodic basis. The provisions of this proposed 
rulemaking would ensure local educational agencies establish and 
implement local school wellness policies that meet minimum standards 
designed to support a school environment that promotes sound nutrition 
and student health, reduces childhood obesity, and provides 
transparency to the public on school wellness policy content and 
implementation.

DATES: To be assured of consideration, written comments must be 
postmarked on or before April 28, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, invites interested 
persons to submit written comments on this proposed rule. To be 
considered for this rulemaking, written comments must be submitted 
through one of the following methods:
     Preferred method: Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Comments should be addressed to Julie Brewer, Chief, 
School Programs Branch, Policy and Program Development Division, Child 
Nutrition Programs, Food and Nutrition Service, P.O. Box 66740, St. 
Louis, Missouri 63166-6740.
    Duplicate comments are not considered. Therefore, we request that 
commenters submit comments through only one of the methods listed 
above. All comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be 
included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please 
be advised that the substance of the comments and the identity of the 
individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to 
public disclosure. FNS will make the comments publicly available on the 
Internet via http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Nigri, Policy and Program 
Development Division, or Erika Pijai, Nutrition Promotion and Technical 
Assistance Division, Child Nutrition Programs, Food and Nutrition 
Service at (703) 305-2590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Schools play a critical role in promoting student health, 
preventing childhood obesity, and combating problems associated with 
poor nutrition and physical inactivity. To formalize and encourage this 
role, section 204 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 
2004 (Pub. L. 108-265), required each local educational agency (LEA) 
participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the 
School Breakfast Program (SBP) to establish a local school wellness 
policy by School Year 2006.
    The 2004 legislation placed the responsibility for developing a 
local school wellness policy at the local level, so the unique needs of 
each school under the jurisdiction of the LEA could be addressed. Each 
LEA was required to establish a local school wellness policy that set 
goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-
based activities designed to promote student wellness, and include 
nutrition guidelines for all foods available on the school campus 
during the school day. Additionally, LEAs were required to involve a 
broad group of individuals in the development of the local school 
wellness policy and to have a plan for measuring wellness policy 
implementation.
    Subsequently, section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 
2010 (HHFKA, Pub. L. 111-296, December 13, 2010) added a new section 9A 
to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) (42 U.S.C. 
1758b) which expands the scope of wellness policies; brings additional 
stakeholders into the development, implementation, and review of local 
school wellness policies; and requires public updates on the content 
and implementation of the wellness policies.
    Specifically, section 9A of the NSLA, 42 U.S.C. 1758b, as added by 
the HHFKA, requires LEAs to establish local school wellness policies 
for all schools under the jurisdiction of the LEA, which, at a minimum, 
include:
     Goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical 
activity, and other school-based activities that promote student 
wellness (section 9A(b)(1) of the NSLA); and
     Nutrition guidelines for all foods available on each 
school campus during the school day consistent with USDA's meal pattern 
requirements and the nutrition standards for competitive foods, and 
designed to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity 
(section 9A(b)(2) of the NSLA).
    In addition, section 9A requires LEAs to:
     Designate one or more LEA or school official(s), as 
appropriate, to ensure that each school complies with the local school 
wellness policy (section 9A(b)(5)(B) of the NSLA);
     Permit parents, students, representatives of the school 
food authority, teachers of physical education, school health 
professionals,

[[Page 10694]]

the school board, school administrators, and the general public to 
participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and 
update of the local school wellness policy (section 9A(b)(3) of the 
NSLA); and
     Periodically measure and make available to the public an 
assessment on the implementation of the local school wellness policy, 
with specific information to be included (section 9A(b)(5)(A) of the 
NSLA).
    New section 9A, as amended by the HHFKA, requires USDA to 
promulgate regulations that provide the framework and guidelines for 
LEAs to establish local school wellness policies. Therefore, this 
proposed rule would create a new section in the regulations governing 
NSLP, 7 CFR 210.30 Local school wellness policy, addressing the local 
school wellness policy requirements. This proposed rule also would 
amend the regulations governing the SBP, at 7 CFR 220.7, to include a 
cross reference to the local school wellness policy requirements in the 
NSLP regulations. The proposed requirements are discussed below.

Establishing a Local School Wellness Policy

Local School Wellness Policy Leadership
    Developing a local school wellness policy that responds to the new 
NSLA requirements and meets the needs of the LEA requires thought, 
collaboration, and promotion. First and foremost, each LEA will need to 
establish local school wellness policy leadership, i.e., one or more 
LEA or school official(s) who fully understands the local school 
wellness requirements of the NSLA, who can facilitate the development 
and updates of the local school wellness policy, and who has the 
authority and responsibility to ensure that each school complies with 
the policy.
    As required by section 9A(b)(5)(B) of the NSLA, as amended, this 
proposed rule, at Sec.  210.30(e)(1), requires LEAs to designate one or 
more officials to ensure schools comply with the local school wellness 
policy. In addition, proposed Sec.  210.30(c)(3) requires the LEA to 
identify within the written local school wellness policy, the position 
of the LEA or school official(s) responsible for oversight of the local 
school wellness policy to ensure each school's compliance with the 
policy.
Public Involvement in Local School Wellness Policy Development
    Once leadership is identified, the next step would be to establish 
a diverse team made up of committed school and community stakeholders 
to assess the LEA's needs and develop a policy that both meets the 
operational realities of the LEA and works toward improved health and 
wellness outcomes for schoolchildren. This team may be part of an 
existing group within the LEA, such as a health and wellness committee, 
coordinated school health council, or other advisory group.
    Section 9A(b)(3) of the NSLA, as amended, requires LEAs to allow 
parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, 
teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school 
board, school administrators, and the general public to participate in 
the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the 
local school wellness policy. This proposed rule, at Sec.  
210.30(d)(1), Community involvement, includes this requirement. In 
addition, proposed Sec.  210.30(c)(4) would require each LEA to include 
in its written local school wellness policy, a plan for allowing the 
above-named individuals to participate in the development, 
implementation, and periodic review and update of the local school 
wellness policy.
    While the statute and proposed regulations identify specific 
categories of stakeholders that must be permitted to participate, LEAs 
would have discretion in exactly how they implement this requirement. 
For example, there may not be individuals in each category of 
stakeholder within a school community, or they may not be willing or 
able to participate. Conversely, it may not be possible for an LEA to 
permit every interested individual in a particular category to 
participate. It may also be the case that there are additional 
categories of stakeholders within a school community that the LEA would 
like to include on the local school wellness policy team.
    However, in convening a local school wellness policy team, LEAs are 
expected to actively seek members for the local school wellness policy 
team that represent each of the categories described in the statute, 
and to the extent practicable, allow them to participate. There are a 
variety of individuals to consider when seeking the right combination 
of representatives. For example, school health professionals may 
include health education teachers, school health services staff (i.e., 
nurses, physicians, dentists, health educators, and other allied health 
personnel who provide school health services), and mental health and 
social services staff (i.e., school counselors, psychologists, social 
workers, or psychiatrists). As another example, the general public may 
include a local dietitian, business representative, physician, medical 
professional, health care professional, parks and recreation 
representatives, community or civic leaders, farmer coalitions, or 
include local representation of organizations interested in children, 
nutrition, education, health, and physical activity.
    LEAs are also encouraged to include Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) coordinators or educators on the 
local school wellness policy committee, as appropriate. The 
Department's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides 
grants to State SNAP agencies to make nutrition education and obesity 
prevention services available to low-income persons to the extent that 
available resources permit. SNAP-Ed targets SNAP recipients and other 
low-income individuals defined as persons eligible to receive means-
tested Federal assistance. The grants may be used for a variety of 
strategies and interventions, including supporting and/or providing 
nutrition education in classrooms and other settings, establishing 
community or school gardens in low-income areas, or collaborating with 
other organizations to implement obesity prevention services through 
public health or community-based approaches with environmental or 
policy-level strategies. SNAP-Ed providers may also be able to broaden 
the reach of a school's local school wellness activities through SNAP-
Ed collaborative efforts with other publicly or privately funded 
national, state, and local nutrition education and health promotion 
initiatives and interventions. For additional information on SNAP-Ed, 
refer to http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/nutrition-education.
    The local school wellness policy teams may work at the LEA level, 
the school level, or both, depending on the size and structure of the 
LEA. The Department encourages both LEA level and school-level local 
school wellness teams to strengthen implementation and monitoring of 
wellness policies.
    Once members of the local school wellness policy team are 
identified, the LEA is encouraged to make available to the public and 
school community, a list of names and position titles (or relationship 
to the school) of individuals who are a part of the school wellness 
policy team; as well as the name, position title, and contact 
information of the lead individual(s) or coordinator(s) for the LEA, 
and for each school as applicable.

[[Page 10695]]

Content of the Local School Wellness Policy

Nutrition Promotion and Education, Physical Activity, and Other School-
Based Activities
    The NSLA at section 9A(b)(1) requires that local school wellness 
policies include goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical 
activity, and other school based activities that promote student 
wellness. The proposed rule at Sec.  210.30(c)(1) includes this 
requirement. Each area is discussed in more detail below, including 
information on these goals and how LEAs may address them.
    In developing their local school wellness policy, LEAs should 
consider that effective policies include strong, clear goals with 
specific and measurable objectives and benchmarks stating who will make 
what change, by how much, where, and by when, with attention to both 
long- and short-term goals. General statements that do not have the 
who, what, when, or where components are not likely to provide schools 
clear direction and will compromise efforts to measure the schools' 
progress towards meeting wellness policy goals. Most measurable goals, 
objectives, and benchmarks will include numbers. USDA's technical 
assistance on local school wellness policies, discussed later in this 
preamble, will include examples of wellness policy goals, objectives 
and benchmarks for each of these areas.
    Under the proposed rule at Sec.  210.30(c)(1), LEAs would also be 
required to review and consider evidence-based strategies and 
techniques in establishing goals for nutrition promotion and education, 
physical activity, and other school based activities that promote 
student wellness. At a minimum, USDA would expect LEAs to review 
``Smarter Lunchroom'' tools and strategies, which are evidence-based, 
simple, low-cost and no-cost changes that are shown to improve student 
participation in the NSLP an SBP while encouraging consumption of more 
whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and decreasing plate 
waste (http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/healthierus-school-challenge-resources/smarter-lunchrooms). For example, using creative names for 
fruits and vegetables and targeted entrees, training staff to prompt 
students to select fruits and vegetables, placing unflavored milk in 
front of other beverage choices, and bundling ``grab and go'' meals 
that include fruit and vegetable items, have all been shown to improve 
the likelihood that children will make the healthier choice.
    Nutrition promotion and education: The primary goal of nutrition 
promotion and education is to influence lifelong eating behaviors in a 
positive manner. Nutrition promotion includes evidence-based techniques 
and scientifically-based nutrition messages targeted to a specific 
audience to inspire and motivate them to take action and use these 
techniques and messages to create environments and food service venues 
(classroom, cafeteria, a la carte, vending machines, school store, 
snack bars, fundraisers, home, etc.) that encourage healthy nutrition 
choices, as well as enhance and encourage participation in school meal 
programs. Nutrition promotion specifically encourages children to 
participate in the NSLP and SBP. Research indicates that school meals 
are more healthful than what students eat as alternatives to school 
meals.\1\ Nutrition promotion also includes the marketing and 
advertising of nutritious foods and beverages to students and is most 
effective when implemented consistently through a comprehensive and 
multi-channel approach by school staff and teachers, parents, students, 
and the community. Nutrition education teaches behavior-focused skills 
and may be offered as part of a comprehensive, standards-based program 
designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to 
promote their health and make positive choices regarding food and 
nutrition.
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    \1\ According to the Student Nutrition and Dietary Assessment 
III study SNDA-III), students who consumed NSLP lunches consumed 
greater amounts of the nutrients recommended in the Dietary 
Guidelines for Americans than students who consumed lunches from 
home (see SNDA-III pp. 147-150).
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    Local school wellness policy goals related to nutrition promotion 
and education might include activities such as:
     Including nutrition education as part of health education 
classes and/or stand-alone courses for all grade levels, including 
curricula that promote skill development, such as meal planning, 
recognizing food groups within a meal, understanding health information 
and food labels to evaluate the nutrient quality and contribution of 
foods;
     Integrating nutrition education into other core subjects 
such as math, science, language arts, and social sciences, as well as 
in non-core and elective subjects;
     Including nutrition and health posters, signage, or 
displays in the cafeteria food service and dining areas, classrooms, 
hallways, gymnasium, and/or bulletin boards that are frequently 
rotated, updated, or changed;
     Providing developmentally appropriate and culturally 
relevant participatory activities, such as contests, surveys, 
promotions, food demonstrations and taste-testing, voting for school 
meal recipe names, cafeteria design or d[eacute]cor challenges, farm 
visits, and school gardens; and
     Offering information to families that encourages them to 
teach their children about health and nutrition, and assists them in 
planning nutritious meals for their families (for example: handouts, 
newsletters, Parent Teacher Association/Organization (PTA/PTO) updates, 
Web site postings, presentations, workgroups, etc.).
    USDA provides grade-appropriate curricula and lessons on nutrition 
education, as well as nutrition promotion materials through its Team 
Nutrition initiative. Team Nutrition provides participating schools 
with nutrition education and promotion materials and strategies that 
help focus attention on the important role nutritious school meals, 
nutrition education, and a health-promoting school environment play in 
helping students learn to enjoy healthy eating and physical activity. 
Team Nutrition provides a framework for team efforts by school food 
service personnel, teachers, parents, the media, and other community 
members, and supports LEA efforts to develop local school wellness 
policies. For more information on Team Nutrition, visit http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/team.html.
    LEAs are also encouraged to include in their local school wellness 
policy any school-sponsored family wellness activities that include a 
nutrition component, partnerships with community health agencies or 
organizations (for example, to operate a school-based health center), 
partnerships with SNAP-Ed, and any community use of school facilities 
for nutrition-related activities.
    Physical activity: The primary goals and characteristics of quality 
physical education and physical activity are to provide opportunities 
for every student to develop the knowledge and skills for specific 
physical activities; maintain physical fitness; reduce sedentary time; 
learn about cooperation, fair play, and responsible participation that 
meets the needs of all students (at all levels of physical ability); 
and gain an appreciation for lifelong physical activity through a 
healthy lifestyle.\2\

[[Page 10696]]

Physical education and physical activity opportunities complement 
health education by instilling an understanding of the short-term and 
long-term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle.
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    \2\ Department of Health and Human Services and the Department 
of Education. Promoting Better Health for Young People Through 
Physical Activity and Sports, A Report to the President From the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of 
Education, 2000. Available from http://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSDFS/physedapndc.pdf.
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    In addition to offering physical education, LEAs are encouraged to 
provide other opportunities for physical activity, outside of physical 
education, for every grade level. The Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention's (CDC) recommendation for physical activity is 60 minutes 
each day for children and adolescents. Because children spend many 
hours at school, it is critical that schools offer time for students to 
meet the 60 minute goal. As examples, physical activity can include 
recess (outdoor and indoor) for elementary school students, classroom-
based physical activity breaks to increase focus or teach academic 
content via physical movement, and opportunities for physical activity 
before and after school, such as intramural programs, interscholastic 
sports, and extracurricular community or club activities. Physical 
activity can also be incorporated into core subject areas (e.g. 
science, math, language, arts, social studies, etc.). LEAs are also 
encouraged to support teachers in incorporating opportunities for 
physical activity in the classroom whenever possible and in serving as 
role models by being physically active alongside the students.
    In developing a local school wellness policy, an LEA could include 
goals, objectives and annual benchmarks for physical education and 
physical activity such as: Physical education amount and frequency 
requirements (i.e. days per week, and minutes per day/week); student 
fitness assessments and reporting to parents; policies on adaptive 
activities for students with physical limitations; waivers or 
exemptions that allow students to be exempted from taking physical 
education classes; and activities designed to teach students about a 
physically active lifestyle. LEAs are encouraged to develop outdoor and 
indoor recess guidelines or schedules, as well as policies on 
prohibiting the use of physical activity and withholding of physical 
education class and other forms of physical activity, such as recess, 
as punishment.
    LEAs are also encouraged to include in their local school wellness 
policies school-sponsored family wellness activities that include a 
physical activity component; partnerships with community health 
agencies; the availability of safe facilities and equipment in 
sufficient quantities for all students to be active (including the 
frequency of inspections and replacements, as necessary); the community 
use of school grounds/facilities for physical activity outside of 
school hours; and strategies/events to promote safe, active routes to 
school (for example, ``walk to school day,'' crossing guards stationed 
around the school, and bicycle parking). Local public works, public 
safety, and/or police departments can be valuable partners in some of 
those efforts.
    Other school-based activities: While nutrition education and 
promotion and physical activity are critical components, other school 
activities supporting nutrition and health are equally important in 
providing a healthy school nutrition environment. Wellness policy 
activities can and should be integrated across the entire school 
setting and are not limited to the cafeteria, other food and beverage 
venues, and school physical activity facilities. An LEA can take a 
coordinated approach to developing and implementing a wellness policy 
by addressing nutrition and physical activity through health education 
(including tobacco, alcohol and, other substance abuse prevention), 
physical education, school nutrition services, the physical 
environment, employee wellness, family engagement, community 
involvement, health services, and counseling, psychological, and social 
services. The wellness policy can support academic outcomes through 
activities that have a demonstrated link to academic performance such 
as classroom physical activity breaks \3\ and 
breakfast.4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 While the examples listed below 
are not required, the Department encourages LEAs to address as many 
other school activities as possible to support a healthy school 
nutrition environment. For example, other activities that may be 
reflected into the local school wellness policy could include:
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    \3\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The association 
between school-based physical activity, including physical 
education, and academic performance. Atlanta, GA: US Department of 
Health and Human Services; 2010. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/pdf/pa-pe_paper.pdf.
    \4\ Rampersaud GC, Pereira MA, Girard BL, Adams J, Metzl JD. 
Breakfast habits, nutritional status, body weight, and academic 
performance in children and adolescents. J Am Diet Assoc 2005; 
105:743-60.
    \5\ Taras HL. Nutrition and student performance at school. J Sch 
Health 2005; 75:199-213.
    \6\ Hoyland A, Dye L, Lawton CL. A systematic review of the 
effect of breakfast on the cognitive performance of children and 
adolescents. Nutr Res Rev 2009; 22:220-43.
    \7\ Murphy JM, Pagano MR, Nachmani J, Sperling P, Kane S, 
Kleinman RR. The relationship of school breakfast to psychosocial 
and academic functioning. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1998; 152:899-07.
    \8\ Kleinman R, Hall S, Green H, et al. Diet, breakfast, and 
academic performance in children. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 
2002; 46(Supplement 1): S24-30.
    \9\ D'Anci KE, Constant F, Rosenberg IH. Hydration and Cognitive 
Function in Children. Nutrition Reviews 2006; 64(10): 457-464.
    \10\ Popkin BM, D'Anci KE, Rosenberg IH. Water, hydration, and 
health. Nutrition Reviews 2010; 68(8):439-458.
    \11\ Kempton MJ, Ettinger U, Foster R, Williams SCR, Calvart GA, 
Hampshire A, Zelaya FO, O'Gorman RL, McMorris T, Owen AM and Smith 
MS. Dehydration Affects Brain Structure and Function in Healthy 
Adolescents. Human Brain Mapping 2011; 32:71-79.
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     Offering staff wellness activities and professional 
development opportunities related to health and nutrition that inspire 
school staff to serve as role models and practice healthy eating, 
physical activity, and other activities that support staff and student 
wellness;
     Applying for or being awarded a HealthierUS School 
Challenge recognition (more information can be found at http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/healthierUS/index.html);
     Completing and reporting the results of the School Health 
Index self-assessment process to assess the extent to which some or all 
components of the local school wellness policy are being implemented in 
schools. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) free 
tool helps schools assess their strengths and weaknesses based on a 
comprehensive list of evidence-based guidelines and strategies that 
promote physical activity, nutrition, and other health behaviors; 
prioritize activities; and develop an action plan for improving student 
health, which can be incorporated into the School Improvement Plan. The 
School Health Index is available at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/shi/;
     Using CDC's School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy 
Eating and Physical Activity to inform the policy development process, 
and identify specific evidence-based practices to include in the local 
school wellness policy. The Guidelines are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/npao/strategies.htm;
     Sponsoring health fairs, TV-turnoff week,\12\ school-
supported races, family wellness activities, or family day activities 
that promote health and wellness;
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    \12\ See, for example, http://www.screenfree.org/screentimefs.pdf for a discussion of the possible ways TV-turnoff 
week may affect children.
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     Incorporating school garden, Farm to School or Farm to 
Cafeteria, or Chefs

[[Page 10697]]

Move to Schools activities that promote healthy eating;
     Sending families school newsletters or dedicated parts of 
newsletters or school Web sites promoting healthy eating, healthy 
recipes, physical activity, etc.;
     Incorporating practical and profitable healthy fundraisers 
that support nutrition education, physical activity, nutrition 
education and other wellness related activities (teacher jog-a-thon, 
fruit sale, recycled art sale); and
     Encouraging and promoting the use of Let's Move (http://www.letsmove.gov/ gov/) and other healthy initiatives that promote physical 
activity and healthy eating.
Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods
    The NSLA, as amended at section 9A(b)(2), also requires that the 
local school wellness policy include nutrition guidelines for all foods 
available on each participating school campus under the jurisdiction of 
the LEA during the school day. These guidelines must be consistent with 
the regulations governing the meal pattern requirements for 
reimbursable meals under the NSLP and SBP (7 CFR 210.10 and 7 CFR 
220.8) and the regulations governing competitive foods (7 CFR 210.11), 
which include foods and beverages, and promote student health and 
reduce obesity. This proposed rule, at Sec.  210.30(c)(2), addresses 
this requirement, which is discussed in more detail below. This 
proposed rule also includes definitions at Sec.  210.30(b) for the 
terms school campus and school day. These terms are defined in the same 
manner they are defined for the purpose of competitive foods at Sec.  
210.11(a). School campus means all areas of the property under the 
jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students during the 
school day. School day means the period from the midnight before to 30 
minutes after the end of the official school day.
    School meals--Local school wellness policies can serve as a vehicle 
to explain to the public and the school community the updated nutrition 
standards for school meals as well as other State or local policies 
related to school meals. The Department promulgated a final rule, 
Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast 
Program (77 FR 4088), which updated the meal patterns and nutrition 
standards to align them with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 
new meal pattern offers both fruits and vegetables each day, more whole 
grains, and portion sizes and calorie standards designed to maintain a 
healthy weight. To address school meals, the local school wellness 
policy could include information such as:
     An indication of whether the LEA is in compliance with the 
updated meal patterns;
     A description of the nutrition standards for school meals, 
emphasizing whole-grain offerings, fruit and vegetable offerings, low-
fat and fat-free milk offerings, and compliance with the dietary 
specifications for calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium;
     The Web site address (i.e., URL or uniform resource 
locator) where the school or LEA's current menus are available or the 
best method to view the current menus, if not posted online;
     A description of the Federal Child Nutrition programs in 
which the LEA participates (e.g., NSLP, SBP, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable 
Program, Summer Food Service Program, etc.), as well as any unique 
school meal activities that are provided, e.g., breakfast in the 
classroom, mobile breakfast carts, grab-and-go breakfast, breakfast 
after first period, afterschool snack program cart, etc;
     An indication of how participation in school meals 
programs will be promoted, how families are notified of the 
availability of the various Federal Child Nutrition Programs and how to 
determine students' eligibility to participate or a household's 
eligibility for free or reduced price meals;
     An indication if school meals are prepared onsite or 
offsite, and if a food service management company operates the school 
meal programs, or otherwise highlighting the school's ability to 
control recipes and ingredients;
     Policies relating to the school lunch and breakfast 
programs, e.g., substitutions for students with dietary restrictions, 
any special menus for students with special dietary needs, and any 
variations for various ethnic and cultural food preferences;
     Policies regarding the timing and duration of school meals 
that consider evidence-based research to support healthy eating (i.e., 
the periods or times in which school meals are offered; the amount of 
time allowed for students to eat breakfast and lunch at school, after 
being seated; recess before or after lunch); and
     Policies regarding the availability and locations of free 
drinking water throughout the school day, including during the meal 
service as required by section 9(a)(5) of the NSLA and the frequency of 
regular maintenance on all water fountains to ensure hygiene standards 
for drinking fountains, water jugs, hydration stations, water jets, and 
other methods for delivering drinking water.
    To assist schools, the Department will develop standard statements 
for use by LEAs, describing the updated nutrition standards for school 
meals, as well as standard statements for use by those LEAs indicating 
the status of compliance with the updated meal patterns. These 
statements may be used as a part of the local school wellness policy, 
wellness policy assessments, and the progress reports to the public.
    Nutrition standards for other foods available to students: The NSLA 
at section 9A(b)(2) also requires that the local school wellness policy 
include nutrition standards for all other foods available on campus, 
defined as ``competitive foods''. This would include foods and 
beverages that are available for sale to students, which are subject to 
the interim rule, Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as 
Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (78 FR 39068), 
also known as the ``Smart Snacks in School'' rule, as well as any other 
foods and beverages available (such as in classroom parties, classroom 
snacks brought by parents, or foods given as incentives) on the school 
campus during the school day. (For more information on Smart Snacks, 
refer to the Smart Snacks Web site at http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/smart-snacks-schools).
    The Federal Smart Snacks standards are minimum standards. State 
agencies and LEAs may adopt more stringent standards for the types of 
food and beverages allowed to be sold, as well as the limited frequency 
of fundraisers that include foods that do not meet the standards. A 
local school wellness policy can be an excellent tool for establishing 
and communicating these local standards.
    The local school wellness policy could include information on the 
types of foods and beverages available for sale in each elementary, 
middle, and high school, and as appropriate and applicable, the general 
or specific nutrient profile of those foods and beverages, as well as a 
description of the Smart Snacks nutrition standards, an indication if 
the LEA is in compliance with the Smart Snacks nutrition standards, and 
policies regarding in-school fundraising activities that involve food 
and whether in-school fundraisers that involve food and beverages meet 
the Smart Snacks nutrition standards.
    In addition to addressing food and beverages sold to students, the 
local school wellness policy must also address standards for other 
foods and beverages available on campus. These would include policies 
such as those

[[Page 10698]]

governing classroom parties or school celebrations that involve food, 
policies governing food-related rewards and incentives, and other State 
or local policies or nutrition standards for foods and beverages 
available that promote student health and reduce childhood obesity.
    To assist schools in describing the Smart Snacks nutrition 
standards and the status of compliance with those standards, the 
Department will develop standard statements for use by LEAs, describing 
the new Smart Snacks nutrition standards, as well as standard 
statements for use by those LEAs indicating the status of compliance 
with the new Smart Snacks nutrition standards. These statements may be 
used as a part of the local school wellness policy, wellness policy 
assessments, and progress reports to the public.
Policies for Food and Beverage Marketing
    As discussed above and included in the proposed rule at Sec.  
210.30(c)(1), LEAs must include goals for nutrition promotion in their 
local school wellness policies. One important aspect of nutrition 
promotion is the marketing of food and beverages on the school campus. 
For the purposes of this proposed rule, marketing is defined as 
advertising and other promotions in schools. This rule proposes to 
require, at Sec.  210.30(c)(2)(iii), that LEAs include in their local 
wellness plans policies that allow marketing of only those foods and 
beverages that may be sold on the school campus during the school day, 
i.e., those foods and beverages that meet the requirements set forth in 
the Smart Snacks interim rule (or the more restrictive standards 
adopted by the LEA, if applicable).
    Food marketing commonly includes oral, written, or graphic 
statements made for the purpose of promoting the sale of a food or 
beverage product made by the producer, manufacturer, seller, or any 
other entity with a commercial interest in the product.\13\ Food and 
beverage marketing may be present in areas of the school campus that 
are owned or leased by the school and used at any time for school-
related activities such as the school building or on the school campus, 
including on the outside of the school building, areas adjacent to the 
school building, school buses or other vehicles used to transport 
students, athletic fields and stadiums (e.g. on scoreboards, coolers, 
cups, and water bottles), or parking lots. USDA is interested in 
receiving public comment specifically on this proposed requirement, as 
discussed below, to inform the interim or final rule and help clarify 
how such policies would apply.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ National Policy & Legal Analysis Network to Prevent 
Childhood Obesity. District Policy Restricting Food and Beverage 
Advertising on School Grounds. Available from: http://changelabsolutions.org/publications/district-policy-school-food-ads.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department is also seeking comment on the definition of food 
marketing, which commonly includes oral, written, or graphic statements 
made for the purpose of promoting the sale of a food or beverage 
product made by the producer, manufacturer, seller, or any other entity 
with a commercial interest in the product.\10\
    Food and beverage marketing is prevalent in schools, and the 
majority of foods and beverages marketed to children are low in 
nutritional value and high in sugar and fat.14 15 Research 
shows that food marketing influences children's food preferences, 
dietary intake, and overall health.\16\ However, the majority of 
schools do not have policies restricting food marketing to children. 
During the 2010-2011 School Year, only 10% of school districts 
nationwide had a strong policy restricting the marketing of unhealthy 
foods, where strong policy provisions were defined as those that 
required action, specified an implementation plan or strategy, and 
included language such as shall, must, require, comply, and 
enforce.\17\ The 2012 School Health Policies and Practices Study noted 
that 38% of districts nationwide required and 28% recommended that 
schools prohibit advertisements for unhealthy foods and fast food 
restaurants (representing over 8,400 school districts). In addition, 
32% of districts required and 26% recommended that schools prohibit the 
distribution of products promoting unhealthy foods and fast food 
restaurants.\18\ Research has found that the financial impact on 
schools of prohibiting food marketing in schools would not likely be 
significant. In 2009, industry spent approximately $149 million on 
marketing in schools, with 93% of the funds spent on the marketing of 
beverages.\19\ However, school officials noted that they receive little 
financial compensation from corporate advertisements, with 67% of 
school officials reporting no compensation. In addition, 88% of school 
officials noted that school programs and activities would not be 
reduced if advertisements of unhealthy food ceased.\20\ A study of five 
large school districts noted that yearly revenues from corporate 
advertising represented, on average, 0.01% of the schools' yearly 
operating budgets.\21\
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    \14\ California Project LEAN. Food and Beverage Marketing on 
California High School Campuses Survey: Findings and 
Recommendations. California: Project LEAN, 2006. Available from: 
http://californiaprojectlean.org/doc.asp?id=174&parentid=20.
    \15\ Molnar A, Garcia DR, Boninger F, Merrill B. A National 
Survey of the Types and Extent of the Marketing of Foods of Minimal 
Nutritional Value in Schools. Tempe, AZ: Commercialism in Research 
Unit, 2006. Available from: http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/national-survey-types-and-extent-marketing-foods-minimal-nutritional-value-schools.
    \16\ Institute of Medicine. Food Marketing to Children: Threat 
or Opportunity? Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2005. 
Available from: http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/
2005/Food-Marketing-to-Children-and-Youth-Threat-or-Opportunity/
KFMOverviewfinal2906.pdf.
    \17\ Chriqui JF, Resnick EA, Schneider L, Schermbeck R, Adcock 
T, Carrion V,Chaloupka FJ. School District Wellness Policies: 
Evaluating Progress and Potential for Improving Children's Health 
Five Years after the Federal Mandate. School Years 2006-07 through 
2010-11. Volume 3. Chicago, IL: Bridging the Gap Program, Health 
Policy Center, Institute for Health Research and Policy, University 
of Illinois at Chicago, 2013. Available from: http://www.bridgingthegapresearch.org/research/district_wellness_policies/.
    \18\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results from 
the School Health Policies and Practices Study 2012, 2013. Available 
from: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/shpps/2012/pdf/shpps-results_2012.pdf#page=81.
    \19\ Federal Trade Commission. A Review of Food Marketing to 
Children and Adolescents, 2012. Available from: http://ftc.gov/os/2012/12/121221foodmarketingreport.pdf.
    \20\ Molnar A, Garcia DR, Boninger F, Merrill B. A National 
Survey of the Types and Extent of the Marketing of Foods of Minimal 
Nutritional Value in Schools. Tempe, AZ: Commercialism in Research 
Unit, 2006. Available from: http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/national-survey-types-and-extent-marketing-foods-minimal-nutritional-value-schools.
    \21\ Public Citizen. School Commercialism: High Costs, Low 
Revenues, 2012. Available from: http://www.commercialalert.org/PDFs/SchoolCommercialismReport_PC.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The marketing of products on the exterior of vending machines, 
through posters, menu boards, coolers, trash cans, and other food 
service equipment, as well as cups used for beverage dispensing would 
all be subject to these policies. These policies would not apply to 
marketing that occurs at events outside of school hours such as after 
school sporting or other events, but they could at the LEA's 
discretion. For example, it is not the intent of the Department that an 
existing scoreboard on a field be replaced to comply with this 
proposal. However, LEAs are encouraged to consider that, as a 
scoreboard or other such durable equipment is replaced or updated over 
time, decisions about the replacement include compliance with the 
marketing policy.
    This proposal is also not intended to establish limits on personal 
expression

[[Page 10699]]

or opinions. For example, it is not intended that this proposal would 
apply to clothing or personal items used by students or staff, or the 
packaging of products brought from home for personal consumption. It is 
also not intended to apply to materials used for educational purposes 
in the classroom, such as teachers' use of soda advertisements as a 
media education tool, nor would a LEA be limited in implementing a 
health or nutrition education curriculum that favors the consumption of 
some foods over others (for example, a curriculum that favors the 
consumption of dairy vs. dairy-free alternatives, or one that favors a 
vegetarian diet vs. animal protein foods). It is also not intended to 
imply that schools must allow food or beverage marketing on campus.
    In developing this aspect of the proposed rule, the Department 
conducted a review of published data and research on food and beverage 
marketing in schools, including some publications that synthesize 
recent findings on the types of food and beverage policies being 
adopted, their feasibility, and their impact. The extent of peer-
reviewed research in these areas is relatively limited. To ensure all 
relevant and reliable information available is considered in 
formulating an interim or final rule on local school wellness policies, 
the Department invites the public to submit research findings and other 
descriptive data related to food and beverage advertising or marketing 
on the school campus during the school day via product sales (e.g., via 
exclusive contracts, corporate food vending and associated incentives 
and profits, cash and rebate programs, and fundraising), direct 
advertising (in school facilities, school buses, school publications, 
media-based advertising on in-school televisions and radio, food 
coupons as incentives), indirect advertising (via corporate sponsored 
educational materials, teacher training, contests and incentives, 
grants, gifts, or event sponsorships), and market research (via 
surveys, internet panels, or internet tracking).
    The Department is also seeking information on the current food and 
beverage marketing environment in schools, as well as information on 
the fiscal implications for LEAs or schools that have implemented 
policies regulating the marketing of foods and beverages in schools; 
the effects of food and beverage marketing on student health, behavior, 
and academic performance; as well as data on actual and anticipated 
impacts of limiting school-based food marketing to foods permitted to 
be sold on the school campus during the school day. Specifically, the 
Department seeks information on:

--The extent to which food and beverage marketing practices in schools 
differ by school level (i.e. elementary, middle, and high school);
--The number and/or percentage of schools that currently allow (and/or 
that currently prohibit, or otherwise restrict) food and beverage 
marketing in the school and on the school campus: (1) during the school 
day, and/or (2) at all times;
--The types of food and beverages currently being marketed in school 
and the extent to which they meet or do not meet the ``Smart Snacks in 
School'' nutrition standards;
--The impact of food and beverage marketing on student health, 
behavior, food choices, food consumption patterns, and academic 
performance;
--The role of food and beverage marketing on school finances, including 
its contribution to school food service revenue and overall school 
revenues;
--The reliance of students, parents, teachers, school staff, and other 
school-affiliated groups on revenue or donations from product sales, 
direct advertising, indirect advertising, and market research;
--The extent to which such food and beverage marketing policies could 
apply to broadcast media conducted by or used in schools, including 
media used by schools for educational purposes that may be provided by 
outside entities;
--The use of in-kind rewards, such as coupons from restaurants for 
children reading a certain number of books, or other donations for 
student rewards, and the wellness impacts of these in-kind rewards.
--The economic and other impacts of existing State, local, and 
voluntary policies on allowing marketing only of foods and beverages 
permitted to be sold on the school campus (as per the Smart Snacks 
standards, or more stringent competitive foods standards adopted by the 
school) on the private sector, including, but not limited to, food 
producers/manufacturers, distributors, and vendors;
--Recently enacted or updated State or local level policies on allowing 
marketing of food and beverages permitted to be sold on the school 
campus, their immediate effects on student demand for competitive foods 
and reimbursable meals and the anticipated long-term effects on school 
revenue and revenue raised by school-affiliated groups;
--Strategies that have been utilized to implement existing State, 
local, and voluntary policies that restrict food and beverage 
marketing, including:
[cir] Strategies for mitigating potential adverse financial impacts;
[cir] Strategies for handling prohibited or restricted marketing and 
exclusive contracts that already exist in schools (e.g. what schools 
have done about existing scoreboards, signage, or vending machines 
advertising foods not allowed to be sold on the school campus);
[cir] Strategies for marketing or displaying company brands, names, 
logos, or mascots that have some products that meet ``Smart Snacks'' 
standards and some products that do not;
[cir] Details on the specific locations within the school campus where 
food marketing is present (e.g. in the school building, exterior of 
school building, areas adjacent to school building, school buses or 
other vehicles that transport students, athletic fields and stadiums, 
and parking lots).
--Community and consumer understanding of the impact of the role of 
food and beverage marketing in schools on children's diet and health; 
and
--Issues associated with compliance and monitoring of existing State 
and local policies regarding the marketing of food and beverages 
permitted to be sold on the school campus (as per the ``Smart Snacks'' 
standards).

Informing the Public

    Section 9A(b)(4) of the NSLA, as amended, requires the LEA to 
inform and update the public (including parents, students, and others 
in the community) about the content and implementation of the local 
school wellness policy.
    Under proposed Sec.  210.30(d)(2), LEAs would be required to inform 
the public about the content of the local school wellness policy and 
make the local school wellness policy and any updates to the policy 
available to the public on an annual basis, at a minimum. In addition 
to the local school wellness policy, the LEA would be required to make 
readily available to the public the annual school progress reports and 
triennial assessments of the local school wellness policy which are 
discussed in more detail later in this preamble.
    LEAs or schools would be required to actively notify households of 
the availability of the local school wellness policy information, the 
Web site address (i.e., URL or uniform resource locator) for the 
information, or other information that would enable interested 
households

[[Page 10700]]

to obtain additional information. For example, LEAs could post the 
local school wellness policy on the school or LEA's Web site and send a 
message to families notifying them of how they may obtain a copy or 
otherwise access the policy. Also, as a follow-up to the online 
posting, the LEA could publicize the content and status of the local 
school wellness policy by sending a summary report directly home to 
parents, and could present the information during a meeting with the 
Parent Teacher Association/Organization, school board, district 
superintendent, school/district health and wellness committee, school 
health advisory council, or other interested groups or stakeholders. 
Other examples of methods for public information sharing with the 
larger community include notifications through local newspapers or the 
media, with links to a Web page on the school or LEA's Web site.
    Section 209 of the HHFKA amended the NSLA to require USDA to 
establish requirements for LEAs to report information on the school 
nutrition environment to the public on a periodic basis, including 
information pertaining to food safety inspections, meal program 
participation, the nutritional quality of school meals, and other 
information. This new requirement complements the public notification 
requirements set forth in this proposed rule. USDA will address section 
209 through a separate proposed rulemaking in the future. Prior to that 
rulemaking, USDA strongly encourages LEAs to provide as much 
information as possible to their communities about the school nutrition 
environment.

Implementation, Assessment, and Updates

Annual Progress Reports
    Sections 9A(b)(4) and 9A(b)(5) of the NSLA, as amended, require the 
LEA to inform and update the public about the content and 
implementation of the local school wellness policy, the extent to which 
schools are in compliance with the policy, and progress made in 
attaining the goals of the policy. The intent of these requirements is 
to promote public transparency and ensure parents have easy access to 
information about the wellness environment of the school their child 
attends. In developing the proposal, the Department felt it was 
important to balance the need to inform parents and the community about 
the implementation of the local school wellness policy with the 
potential burden of assessing compliance, particularly for LEAs with a 
large number of schools.
    Therefore, this rule proposes, at Sec.  210.30(e)(2), that LEAs 
inform parents and the public each school year of basic information 
about the local school wellness policy, the progress of each school 
toward meeting the goals of the policy, and any activities related to 
the policy that the school conducts. The timing of the notification 
each year is left to the discretion of the LEA, though it is 
recommended it occur early in the school year. The local school 
wellness policy annual progress report must include, at a minimum:
     The Web site address (i.e., URL or uniform resource 
locator) for the local school wellness policy and/or how the public can 
receive/access a copy of the local school wellness policy;
     A description of each school's progress in meeting the 
local school wellness goals;
     A summary of each school's events or activities related to 
local school wellness policy implementation;
     The name, position title, and contact information of the 
designated local agency official(s) or school official(s) leading/
coordinating the school wellness policy team/health advisory council; 
and
     Information on how individuals and the public can get 
involved with the school wellness policy team.
    The progress report can be written in any format that the LEA 
chooses, so long as it is written in an accessible and easily 
understood manner and covers the required elements. LEAs and schools 
may use any of the aforementioned standard phrases/statements developed 
by the Department to describe the extent to which schools are in 
compliance with the local school wellness policy in their assessments 
and progress reports made available to the public. One way to meet this 
annual progress reporting requirement is to create a ``school wellness 
report card'' that details a school or LEA's progress in various areas 
in support of the local school wellness policy, which could be folded 
into other annual school/district/LEA report card-type ratings that are 
available to the public.
    This rule proposes to require the progress report to be completed 
and made available to the public every year, at a minimum. However, 
LEAs can choose to report the progress of their policies more 
frequently to communicate school-based wellness activities, events, and 
opportunities to families and the community. Commenters are encouraged 
to address whether the annual frequency of the progress reporting would 
serve to ensure local school wellness policies and school-based 
activities are communicated to parents and the community without being 
overly burdensome to LEAs.
    The LEA may prepare and make the local school wellness policy 
progress report available on behalf of each participating school under 
its jurisdiction, or may allow each school to prepare its own progress 
report and make the information available to the public. The 
information may be posted on the LEA or schools' Web site, however, 
each year the LEA or school must actively notify households of the 
availability of the information, the Web site address (i.e., URL or 
uniform resource locator) for the information, or other information 
that would enable households to obtain additional information.
Triennial Assessments
    Section 9A(b)(5) of the NSLA, as amended, requires LEAs to 
periodically measure and make available to the public an assessment on 
the implementation of the local school wellness policy, including:
     An indication of the extent to which schools under the 
jurisdiction of the LEA are in compliance with the local school 
wellness policy;
     An indication of the extent to which the local school 
wellness policy compares to model local school wellness policies; and
     A description of the progress made in attaining the goals 
of the local school wellness policy.
    This rule proposes, at Sec.  210.30(e)(3), to require an 
assessment, as described above, of the local school wellness policy to 
be conducted, at a minimum, every 3 years. However, LEAs can choose to 
assess their policies more frequently to ensure goals and objectives 
are being met and to refine the policy as needed. The results of this 
periodic assessment must be made available to the public to showcase 
the wellness efforts being made by the LEA. Commenters are encouraged 
to address whether the 3-year frequency of the assessment would serve 
to ensure local school wellness policies are kept up-to-date without 
being overly burdensome to LEAs.
    There are a variety of methods an LEA may employ to assess 
compliance by schools and determine progress toward benchmarks, 
objectives and goals. Developing a plan with measureable objectives, 
and realistic annual benchmarks will help when it is time to evaluate 
progress. Additionally, the local school wellness policy team and

[[Page 10701]]

leadership can be assets in conducting periodic assessments. Commenters 
are encouraged to provide input on the specific areas that should be 
included in the components of an effective assessment. The Department 
will continue to work with the Department of Education and the 
Department of Health and Human Services to identify resources and 
provide technical assistance on this area.
Updates
    Section 9A(b)(3) of NSLA, as amended, requires that LEAs 
periodically update the local school wellness policy. As community 
needs change, as goals are met and as new health science, information, 
and technology emerge, it is important for LEAs assess the local school 
wellness policy and update as appropriate. The proposed rule at Sec.  
210.30(e)(4) requires that LEAs update or modify the local school 
wellness policy as appropriate, particularly as information is gathered 
through the annual progress reports or triennial assessments. The 
frequency of updates to the local school wellness policy is not 
specified, as the need to update will vary based on the content and 
structure of the plan. For example, a comprehensive plan that 
establishes benchmarks toward a measurable goal over the course of 
several years may not need frequent updates, while other plans may need 
to be revisited more frequently. The local school wellness policy team 
and leadership can be assets in determining when updates are needed.
Recordkeeping
    The proposed rule at Sec.  210.30(f) would require each LEA to 
retain basic records demonstrating compliance with the local school 
wellness requirements set forth under Sec.  210.30. In order to 
minimize burden, the records required to be retained would include:
     The written local school wellness policy;
     Documentation demonstrating compliance with community 
involvement requirements;
     Documentation of the triennial assessment of the local 
school wellness policy;
     Annual local school wellness policy progress reports for 
each school under its jurisdiction; and
     Documentation to demonstrate compliance with the public 
notification requirements (consistent with the section on Informing the 
public).
Monitoring and Oversight
    State agencies conduct administrative reviews of LEAs, at least 
once every three years. The proposed rule at Sec.  210.18(h)(6) would 
require State agencies to include, as part of the general areas of the 
administrative review, compliance with the local school wellness policy 
requirements set forth under proposed Sec.  210.30, Local school 
wellness policy. Information on the content of the review and methods 
States can use to assess compliance will be provided within the School 
Meals Administrative Review guidance.

Technical Assistance and Best Practices

    In addition to describing requirements of LEAs for the local school 
wellness policy, section 9A of the NSLA, requires USDA, in consultation 
with the Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention of the Department of Health and Human Services, to 
provide information and technical assistance to LEAs, school food 
authorities and State agencies to support local school wellness 
policies. The law specifies several types of technical assistance that 
USDA must provide, including resources and training, model school 
wellness policies and best practices, and other technical assistance 
that promotes sound nutrition and healthy school environments and is 
consistent with the specific needs of LEAs. In April 2011, the Food and 
Nutrition Service, Department of Education, and Centers for Disease 
Control convened an interagency workgroup and conducted several needs 
assessment activities to help determine the training and technical 
needs of LEAs. Based on this assessment the workgroup developed a five-
year technical assistance plan. The workgroup is prepared to identify 
best practices and success stories for local school wellness policy 
implementation as well as other technical assistance resources that 
will support LEAs in developing, updating and assessing their policies.
    In order to assist LEAs in implementing these requirements, the 
Department will continue to provide technical assistance. The Team 
Nutrition Web site hosts resources on designing, implementing, 
promoting, disseminating, and evaluating local school wellness policies 
and overcoming barriers to the adoption of local school wellness 
policies. For more information, refer to http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/healthy/wellnesspolicy.html.
    The ``School Nutrition Environment and Wellness Resources'' Web 
site, operated by USDA National Agricultural Library's Healthy Meals 
Resource System (Team Nutrition's training and technical assistance 
component), helps LEAs find the resources they need to meet the local 
school wellness policy requirements and recommendations to establish a 
healthier school nutrition environment (http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/school-wellness-resources). The ``School 
Nutrition Environment and Wellness Resources'' Web site has information 
and resources on:
     Local School Wellness Policy Process steps to put the 
policy into action.
     Required Wellness Policy Elements to meet the federal 
requirements.
     Healthy School Nutrition Environment improvements related 
to food and physical activity.
     Samples, Stories, and Guidance ideas for schools.
     Research Reports on school wellness.
     Grants and funding opportunities related to child 
nutrition and physical activity.
    FNS will continue to identify, develop, and post to the Team 
Nutrition and ``School Nutrition Environment and Wellness Resources'' 
Web sites model local school wellness policies that will help local 
educational agencies assess the extent to which the local school 
wellness policy compares to model local school wellness policies, as 
required under the triennial assessment, as well as best practices and 
any other technical assistance as needed to develop, implement, assess, 
and report on local school wellness policies that promote healthy 
school nutrition environments.

 II. Procedural Matters

Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be significant under 
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this rule has been 
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Summary

    This rule has been reviewed with regard to the requirements of the

[[Page 10702]]

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980, (5 U.S.C. 601-612). It has 
been certified that this rule will have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. A summary is presented below. The 
complete RFA is included in the docket for this rule at 
www.regulations.gov (docket FNS-2014-0010).
    The requirements established by this proposed rule will apply to 
LEAs which meet the definitions of ``small governmental jurisdiction'' 
and ``small entity'' in the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The regulatory 
flexibility analysis considers the impact of the proposed rule on small 
businesses. The proposed rule has the potential to affect approximately 
21,000 local educational agencies and some 105,000 schools operating in 
the U.S. We estimate that the administrative cost for schools will be 
on average about $48 per school per year. The marketing limitations in 
the proposed rule could affect vending machine operators and marketing 
companies as they change existing marketing to meet the requirements. 
Because of the changes in products available in schools due to the 
Smart Snacks in Schools interim rule, we believe that much of that 
change will already have occurred, but there may still be some labor 
costs associated with changing the marketing campaigns.

Regulatory Impact Analysis Summary

    As required for all rules that have been designated significant by 
the Office of Management and Budget, a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) 
was developed for this proposal. A summary is presented below. The 
complete RIA is included in the docket for this rule at 
www.regulations.gov. The docket number is FNS-2014-0010.

Need for Action

    The proposed rule updates the regulations governing the 
administration of USDA's child nutrition programs in response to 
statutory changes made by The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 
2010.\22\ Section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 
added section (9A) to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. 
This new section requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to 
establish more comprehensive local wellness policies and expands the 
scope of existing wellness policies; brings additional stakeholders 
into the development, implementation, and review of local school 
wellness policies; and requires public updates on the content and 
implementation of the wellness policies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ Public Law 111-296.
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Benefits

    The proposed rule adds to the scope of existing wellness policies 
and provides guidelines for local educational agencies and the 
Department regarding their roles in these policies, as required by the 
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
    As documented in the Bridging the Gap study,\23\ there is 
substantial variability in local wellness policies, in the strength of 
those policies, and in policy enforcement, meaning that not all school 
children are benefitting from the policies in their schools.
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    \23\ Chriqui JF, Resnick EA, Schneider L, Schermbeck R, Adcock 
T, Carrion V, Chaloupka FJ. School District Wellness Policies: 
Evaluating Progress and Potential for Improving Children's Health 
Five Years After the Federal Mandate. School Years 2006-07 Through 
2010-11. Volume 3. Chicago, IL: Bridging the Gap Program, Health 
Policy Center, Institute for Health Research and Policy, University 
of Illinois at Chicago, 2013, www.bridgingthegapresearch.org.
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    The proposed rule strengthens the requirements for the local 
wellness policies and puts more emphasis on policy implementation. 
Under the proposed rule, LEAs and schools are encouraged to identify 
specific, measurable objectives with attention to both long- and short-
term goals. The wellness committee responsibilities have also been 
expanded to include oversight on policy implementation. LEAs must now 
designate at least one LEA official to be responsible for periodically 
determining the extent to which schools are in compliance with their 
wellness policies and the extent to which the policy compares with 
model policy.
    The proposed rule also includes a provision that allows schools to 
permit in-school marketing of only those foods and beverages that meet 
the standards in the Smart Snacks in Schools interim rule. The new 
marketing rules will mean that children are presented with images and 
signs that promote healthier foods and beverages and that the products 
that are marketed will match the foods and beverages that will be 
available in schools.
    Under the proposed rule, schools must also inform and update the 
public about the content of their policies and the status of policy 
implementation. LEAs must also formally assess their policies to ensure 
that goals and objectives are being met. With greater transparency on 
the effectiveness of these policies, parents and other community 
stakeholders will be better informed and positioned to improve the 
school nutrition and wellness environment.
    As noted in the Bridging the Gap study, strong evidence is emerging 
that demonstrates the links between healthy nutrition, physical 
activity, improved academic performance, and improved classroom 
behavior.\24\ For example Rampey, Dion, and Donahue (2008) found that 
children who are more physically fit are more likely to perform better 
on reading and math tests, even if the additional time for physical 
activity decreases the time available for classroom instruction.\25\ 
Similar outcomes have been found in Texas among students in grades 3-
12, among Massachusetts middle school students, and among Illinois 3rd 
and 5th graders.\26\ The Bridging the Gap study also notes that there 
is increasing evidence showing that ``school-based policies regarding 
foods, beverages, and physical activity are significantly related to 
calories consumed and expended by school age children, and to their 
weight and body mass index levels.'' \27\ Therefore, there is a high 
likelihood that strengthening local wellness policies will have real 
positive effects on the health outcomes for students, though these 
benefits cannot be quantified nationally with precision using existing 
data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ Chriqui et al., 2013, p. 4.
    \25\ Rampey, B, Dion, G and Donahue, P., NAEP 2008 Trends in 
Academic Progress, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, 
2008.
    \26\ Troust, SG, Active Living Research, ``Active education: 
Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Academic Performance.'' 
Available online at http://activelivingresearch.org/files/ALR_Brief_ActiveEducation_Summer2009.pdf.
    \27\ Chriqui et al., 2013, p. 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the rule requires LEAs to give increased attention to 
their implementation of the new school meal pattern requirements and 
the Smart Snacks in Schools requirements. As described in the 
regulatory impact analysis published with the school meals rule,\28\ 
the benefits of the new school meal pattern requirements include 
improved nutrition and diets to students and likely improved health 
outcomes. Furthermore, as described in the regulatory impact analysis 
published with the Smart Snacks in Schools rule,\29\ the benefits of 
the Smart Snacks in Schools rule likely include decreased consumption 
of solid fats and added sugars and decreased obesity rates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 17, pp. 4088-4167.
    \29\ Federal Register, Vol. 78, No. 125, pp. 39068-39120.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although we do not estimate new direct benefits in these areas from 
this proposed rule, we expect that the

[[Page 10703]]

consistent reinforcing influence of local wellness policies will likely 
cause a number of LEAs to reexamine and improve their implementation of 
both the school meals rule and the Smart Snacks rule. To the extent 
that this proposed rule causes LEAs to implement the school meals rule 
or Smart Snacks rule more quickly or with more stringent requirements, 
this rule could cause LEAs to realize the benefits of those rules more 
quickly or to a greater extent than they might have done in the absence 
of this proposed rule.

Costs/Administrative Impact

    There are no transfers as a result of this rule, and we estimate 
that there is no quantifiable economic impact beyond the new public 
disclosure and recordkeeping requirements for LEAs established as a 
result of this rule. LEAs will face increased public disclosure and 
recordkeeping burdens in order to establish and implement the policies, 
conduct annual and triennial assessments of wellness policies, track 
policy implementation, and retain documentation of these assessments. 
We estimate these costs to be approximately $5 million per year across 
the entire United States. A summary table of the estimated costs of the 
proposed rule is provided below.

                    Record and Reporting Requirement Costs for Local School Wellness Policies
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Fiscal year  (millions)
            Administrative burden on LEAs            -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                        2014      2015      2016      2017      2018      Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Additional Public Disclosure Burden on LEAs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each LEA must establish a local wellness policy for      $2.64     $2.73     $2.82     $2.92     $3.01    $14.13
 all participating schools..........................
LEAs are required to report schools annual progress       1.32      1.37      1.41      1.46      1.51      7.06
 towards meeting wellness policy goals, objectives,
 and benchmarks; make report available to public....
LEAs are required to conduct triennial assessments;       0.09      0.09      0.09      0.10      0.10      0.47
 make results available to public; and make updates
 and modifications to policies as needed............
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
    Total Estimated Public Disclosure Burden........      4.06      4.19      4.33      4.47      4.62     21.66
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Additional Recordkeeping Burden on LEAs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEAs must retain records demonstrating compliance         0.66      0.68      0.71      0.73      0.75      3.53
 with the local school wellness requirements........
    Total Additional Administrative Burden on LEAs..      4.72      4.87      5.03      5.20      5.37     25.19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The BLS, FY2012 employer cost for State and local government public administration employee wage rate is used
  in this estimate and inflated on a fiscal year basis by the State and Local Expenditure Index used and
  prepared by OMB for use in developing the President's FY 2014 President's Budget.

    We request comments on the costs discussed above, specifically for 
information to better inform their estimation. Ongoing technical 
assistance for local school wellness policies has been provided by FNS 
since 2004, therefore,--there will be minimal impact for FNS.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local and tribal 
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, the 
Department generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost 
benefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal 
mandates'' ' that may result in expenditures by State, local or tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or the private sector, of $100 million 
or more in any one year. When such a statement is needed for a rule, 
Section 205 of the UMRA generally requires the Department to identify 
and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt 
the most cost effective or least burdensome alternative that achieves 
the objectives of the rule.
    This proposed rule does not contain Federal mandates (under the 
regulatory provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for State, local and 
tribal governments or the private sector of $100 million or more in any 
one year. Thus, the rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 
202 and 205 of the UMRA.

Executive Order 12372

    The National School Lunch Program is listed in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance Programs under 10.555. For the reasons set 
forth in the final rule in 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, and related 
Notice (48 FR 29115, June 24, 1983), this program is included in the 
scope of Executive Order 12372 which requires intergovernmental 
consultation with State and local officials.

Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132 requires Federal agencies to consider the 
impact of their regulatory actions on State and local governments. 
Where such actions have federalism implications, agencies are directed 
to provide a statement for inclusion in the preamble to the regulations 
describing the agency's considerations in terms of the three categories 
called for under section (6)(b)(2)(B) of Executive Order 13132. USDA 
has considered the impact of this rule on State and local governments 
and has determined that this rule does not have federalism 
implications. This rule does not impose substantial or direct 
compliance costs on State and local governments. Therefore, under 
Section 6(b) of the Executive Order, a federalism summary impact 
statement is not required.

Executive Order 12988

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule is intended to have preemptive 
effect with respect to any State or local laws, regulations or policies 
which conflict with its provisions or which would otherwise impede its 
full and timely implementation. This rule is not intended to have 
retroactive effect unless so specified in the Effective Dates section 
of the final rule. Prior to any

[[Page 10704]]

judicial challenge to the provisions of the final rule, all applicable 
administrative procedures must be exhausted.

Civil Rights Impact Analysis

    FNS has reviewed this proposed rule in accordance with the 
Department Regulation 4300-4, ``Civil Rights Impact Analysis'', and 
1512-1, ``Regulatory Decision Making Requirements'' to identify and 
address any major civil rights impacts the rule might have on 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. After a careful 
review of the rule's intent and provisions, FNS has determined that 
this rule is not intended to limit or reduce in any way the ability of 
protected classes of individuals to receive benefits on the basis of 
their race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, nor is it 
intended to have a differential impact on minority-owned or -operated 
business establishments, and women-owned or -operated business 
establishments that participate in the Child Nutrition Programs. The 
proposed rule affects only the State agencies and the LEAs, requiring 
the establishment of local school wellness policies, assessment of 
those policies, and establishment of a means to communicate information 
related to local school wellness policies to households of all 
children.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chap. 35; see 5 CFR 
part 1320), requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
approve all collections of information by a Federal agency from the 
public before they can be implemented. Respondents are not required to 
respond to any collection of information unless it displays a current, 
valid OMB control number. This is a new collection. The proposed 
provisions in this rule create new burden which will be merged into a 
currently approved information collection titled ``National School 
Lunch Program'' (NSLP), OMB Number 0584-0006 which expires on February 
29, 2016. These changes are contingent upon OMB approval under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. When the information collection 
requirements have been approved, FNS will publish a separate action in 
the Federal Register announcing OMB's approval.
    Comments on the information collection in this proposed rule must 
be received by April 28, 2014. Send comments to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for 
FNS, Washington, DC 20503. Please also send a copy of your comments to 
Lynn Rodgers, Chief, Program Monitoring Branch, Child Nutrition 
Programs, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. For further 
information, or for copies of the information collection requirements, 
please contact Lynn Rodgers at the address indicated above. Comments 
are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the 
accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the proposed information 
collection burden, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden 
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    All responses to this request for comments will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become 
a matter of public record.
    Title: Local School Wellness Policy Implementation under the 
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
    OMB Number: 0584-New.
    Expiration Date: Not Yet Determined.
    Type of Request: New Collection.
    This proposed rule would increase the recordkeeping and public 
disclosure burden for local educational agencies. As the State agencies 
conduct administrative reviews of local education agencies once every 
three years, burden associated with local wellness policy 
implementation is captured as a part of administrative review process. 
Hence, no new burden is assessed for State agencies as a part of this 
proposed rule. The average burden per response and the annual burden 
hours are explained and summarized below.
    Affected Public: Local Educational Agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,858.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 15.3333.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 319,822.
    Estimate Time per Response: 0.7554.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 241,604.5.
    Refer to the table below for estimated total annual burden.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Number of
                                                                                        Estimated    responses      Total       Estimated     Estimated
                Affected public                                Section                  number of       per         annual     total hours  total burden
                                                                                       respondents   respondent  responses *  per response      hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Public Disclosure
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each LEA must establish a local wellness        210.30(a)............................       20,858            5      104,290          1.0      104,290
 policy for all participating schools.
LEAs are required to report schools' annual     210.30(e)(2), (d)(2), & (d)(3).......       20,858            5      104,290          1.0      104,290
 progress towards meeting wellness policy
 goals; make report available to public.
LEAs are required to conduct triennial          210.30(e)(3), (d)(3), & (e)(4).......        6,952            1        6,952          1.0        6,952
 assessments; make results available to
 public; and make updates and modifications to
 policies as needed.
                                                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Estimated Public Disclosure Burden..  .....................................       20,858      10.3333      215,532          1.0      215,532
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Recordkeeping
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEAs must retain records demonstrating          210.30(f)............................       20,858            5      104,290          0.25      26,072.5
 compliance with the local school wellness
 requirements.
                                                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 10705]]

 
Total Estimated Recordkeeping Burden..........  .....................................       20,858            5      104,290          0.25      26,072.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Total of Public Disclosure and Recordkeeping for Local School Wellness Policies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Disclosure.............................  .....................................       20,858      10.3333      215,532          1.0      215,532
Recordkeeping.................................  .....................................       20,858            5      104,290          0.25      26,072.5
                                                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................  .....................................       20,858        15.33      319,822           .75     241,604.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Number of Responses per Respondent reflects a rounded average of the number of participating schools split among the number of LEAs. As such, the
  Total Annual Responses figure is higher than the actual number of participating schools.

E-Government Act Compliance

    The Food and Nutrition Service is committed to complying with the 
E-Government Act, 2002 to promote the use of the Internet and other 
information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen 
access to Government information and services, and for other purposes.

Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 
Governments

    Executive Order 13175 requires Federal agencies to consult and 
coordinate with Tribes on a government-to-government basis on policies 
that have Tribal implications, including regulations, legislative 
comments or proposed legislation, and other policy statements or 
actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian 
Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian 
Tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between 
the federal government and Indian Tribes. In spring 2011, FNS offered 
five opportunities for consultation with Tribal officials or their 
designees to discuss the impact of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 
2010 on tribes or Indian Tribal governments. FNS followed up with 
conference calls on February 13, 2013; May 22, 2013; August 21, 3013; 
and November 6, 2013. These consultation sessions have provided and 
will continue to provide the opportunity to address Tribal concerns 
related to school meals. No concerns about the local school wellness 
policy have been expressed by the Indian Tribal governments.
    The impact of this proposed rule on Tribal members is expected to 
be positive. The rule expands the scope of wellness policies; brings in 
additional stakeholders in the development, implementation, and review 
of local school wellness policies; and requires public updates on the 
content and implementation of the wellness policies. The local school 
wellness policies would support Tribal efforts to reduce obesity and 
diabetes in their communities by providing a school environment that 
promotes sound nutrition and student health, reduces childhood obesity, 
provides transparency to the public on school wellness policy content 
and implementation, and promotes healthy eating and physical activities 
through campaigns such as Let's Move in Indian Country.
    USDA will respond in a timely and meaningful manner to all Tribal 
government requests for consultation concerning this rule and will 
provide additional venues, such as webinars and teleconferences with 
Tribal officials or their designees concerning ways to improve this 
rule in Indian country. We are unaware of any current Tribal laws that 
would be in conflict with the proposed rule. We request that commenters 
address any concerns in this regard in their responses.

List of Subjects

7 CFR 210

    Grant programs--education; Grant programs--health; Infants and 
children; Nutrition; Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; School 
breakfast and lunch programs.

7 CFR 220

    Grant programs--education; Grant programs--health; Infants and 
children; Nutrition; Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; School 
breakfast and lunch programs.

    Accordingly, 7 CFR parts 210 and 220 are proposed to be amended as 
follows:

PART 210--NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT

0
1. The authority citation for part 210 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1751-1760, 1779.

0
2. In Sec.  210.12, revise the section heading and add new paragraph 
(e) to read as follows:


Sec.  210.12  Student, parent, and community involvement.

* * * * *
    (e) Local school wellness policies. Local educational agencies must 
comply with the provisions of Sec.  210.30(c) regarding student, 
parent, and community involvement in the development, implementation, 
and periodic review and update of the local school wellness policy. 
Additionally, local educational agencies must make information about 
the content and implementation of the local school wellness policy 
available to the public, as required under Sec.  210.30(c).
0
3. In Sec.  210.15, add new paragraph (b)(8) to read as follows:


Sec.  210.15  Reporting and recordkeeping.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (8) Records to document compliance with the local school wellness 
policy requirements as set forth in Sec.  210.30(h).
0
4. In Sec.  210.18, add new paragraph (h)(7) to read as follows:


Sec.  210.18  Administrative reviews.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (7) Local school wellness. The State agency shall ensure the school 
food authority complies with the local school wellness requirements set 
forth in Sec.  210.30.


Sec. Sec.  210.30 and 210.31  [Redesignated as Sec. Sec.  210.31 and 
210.32]

0
5. Redesignate Sec.  210.30 and Sec.  210.31 as Sec.  210.31 and Sec.  
210.32, respectively.
0
6. Add new Sec.  210.30 to read as follows:


Sec.  210.30  Local school wellness policy.

    (a) General. Each local educational agency must establish a local 
school wellness policy for all schools participating in the National 
School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program under the 
jurisdiction of the local educational agency. The local school wellness 
policy is a written plan that includes methods to promote

[[Page 10706]]

student wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and provide 
assurance that school meals and other food and beverages sold on the 
school campus during the school day meet the minimum Federal standards.
    (b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
    (1) School campus means the term as defined in Sec.  210.11(a)(4).
    (2) School day means the term as defined in Sec.  210.11(a)(5).
    (c) Content of the plan. At a minimum, local school wellness 
policies must contain:
    (1) Specific goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical 
activity, and other school-based activities that promote student 
wellness. In developing these goals, local educational agencies must 
review and consider evidence based strategies and techniques;
    (2) Standards and nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages 
available during the school day on each participating school campus 
under the jurisdiction of the local educational agency that:
    (i) Are consistent with the meal pattern requirements set forth 
under Sec. Sec.  210.10 and 220.8 of this chapter, as applicable;
    (ii) Are consistent with the nutrition standards set forth under 
Sec.  210.11;
    (iii) Permit marketing on the school campus during the school day 
of only those foods and beverages that meet the requirements under 
Sec.  210.11; and
    (iv) Promote student health and reduce childhood obesity.
    (3) Identification of the position of the LEA official(s) or school 
official(s) responsible for the oversight of the local school wellness 
policy to ensure each school's compliance with the policy;
    (4) A description of the manner in which parents, students, 
representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical 
education, school health professions, the school board, school 
administrators, and the general public are provided an opportunity to 
participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and 
update of the local school wellness policy; and
    (5) A description of the plan for measuring the implementation of 
the local school wellness policy and for reporting local school 
wellness policy content and implementation issues to the public, as 
required in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section.
    (d) Community involvement. Each local educational agency must:
    (1) Permit parents, students, representatives of the school food 
authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, 
the school board, school administrators, and the general public to 
participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and 
update of the local school wellness policy.
    (2) Inform the public about the content of the local school 
wellness policy and make the local school wellness policy and any 
updates to the policy available to the public on an annual basis.
    (3) Inform the public about progress toward meeting the goals of 
the local school wellness policy and compliance with the local school 
wellness policy by making the annual report, as required in paragraph 
(e)(2) of this section, and the triennial assessment, as required in 
paragraph (e)(3) of this section, available to the public in an 
accessible and easily understood manner.
    (e) Implementation, assessments and updates. Each local educational 
agency must:
    (1) Designate 1 or more local educational agency officials or 
school officials to ensure that each participating school complies with 
the local school wellness policy.
    (2) Annually report, for each school under the jurisdiction of the 
local educational agency, the school's progress toward meeting the 
local school wellness policy's goals over the previous school year and 
include:
    (i) The Web site address (i.e., URL or uniform resource locator) 
for the local school wellness policy and/or how the public can receive/
access a copy of the local school wellness policy;
    (ii) A description of each school's progress in meeting the local 
school wellness goals;
    (iii) A summary of each school's events or activities related to 
local school wellness policy implementation;
    (iv) The name, position title, and contact information of the 
designated local agency official(s) or school official(s) leading/
coordinating the school wellness policy team/health advisory council; 
and
    (v) Information on how individuals and the public can get involved 
with the school wellness policy team.
    (3) At least once every three years, assess compliance with the 
local school wellness policy. The assessment must measure the 
implementation of the local school wellness policy, and include:
    (i) The extent to which schools under the jurisdiction of the local 
educational agency are in compliance with their local school wellness 
policy;
    (ii) The extent to which the local educational agency's local 
school wellness policy compares to model local school wellness 
policies; and
    (iii) A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of 
the local school wellness policy.
    (4) Make appropriate updates or modifications to the local school 
wellness policy, based on the triennial assessment and annual progress 
reports.
    (f) Recordkeeping requirement. Each local educational agency must 
retain records to document compliance with the requirements of this 
section. These records include but are not limited to:
    (1) The written local school wellness policy;
    (2) Documentation demonstrating compliance with community 
involvement requirements, including requirements to make the local 
school wellness policy, annual progress reports, and triennial 
assessments available to the public as required in paragraph (d) of 
this section;
    (3) Documentation of the triennial assessment of the local school 
wellness policy for each school under its jurisdiction; and
    (4) Documentation of annual local school wellness policy progress 
reports for each school under its jurisdiction.

PART 220--SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM

0
7. The authority citation for part 220 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 1773, 1779, unless otherwise noted.

0
8. In Sec.  220.7, add paragraph (h) to read as follows:


Sec.  220.7  Requirements for participation.

* * * * *
    (h) Local educational agencies must comply with the provisions of 
Sec.  210.30 of this chapter regarding the development, implementation 
and periodic review and update of the local school wellness policy.

     Dated: February 20, 2014.
Janey Thornton,
Acting Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
[FR Doc. 2014-04100 Filed 2-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P