Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Wednesday announced major steps to promote the health of America’s children through school meals. Nutrition standards for school meals will be gradually updated to include less sugar and flexibility with menu planning between Fall 2025 and Fall 2027.
The Department arrived at these changes after listening closely to public feedback and considering the latest science-based recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The new rule continues the work of the Biden Administration to address both food and nutrition security. Vilsack says, “When we raise the bar for school meals, it empowers our kids to achieve greater success inside and outside of the classroom.”
For the first time, added sugars will be limited in school meals nationwide. Schools can continue offering flavored and unflavored milk, which provides essential nutrients children need, such as calcium, vitamin D and potassium. Current nutrition standards for whole grains will not change.
