Local Wellness Policy Content Checklist - Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Reporting Requirements

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen

Local Wellness Policy Content Checklist helps schools align Local Wellness Policies with USDA regulations when developing policy content. It outlines required elements across nutrition education, nutrition promotion, physical activity, and other student wellness activities, including nutrition standards for school meals, competitive foods, and foods provided but not sold. It also covers food and beverage marketing limits, wellness leadership roles, public involvement, triennial assessment language, reporting and public access measures, and an unused food sharing plan referenced to Illinois Public Act 102-0359.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Nutrition Education

Nutrition Promotion

Physical Activity

Other School-Based Activities that Promote Student Wellness

Nutrition Standards for School Meals

Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods

Standards for All Foods and Beverages Provided, but Not Sold

Food and Beverage Marketing

Wellness Leadership

Public Involvement

Triennial Assessments

Reporting

Unused Food Sharing Plan

Local Wellness Policy Content Checklist This tool is intended to help schools meet the USDA regulations for Local Wellness Policies when developing the content of those policies. This checklist is not intended to take the place of the required triennial assessments of the Local Wellness Policy. Nutrition Education – Specific goals for Nutrition Education are included in the Local Wellness Policy. These goals were developed using evidence-based strategies. Nutrition Promotion– Specific goals for Nutrition Promotion are included in the Local Wellness Policy. These goals were developed using evidence-based strategies. Please note, USDA expects LEAs to review “Smarter Lunchroom” tools and strategies, at a minimum. Physical Activity – Specific goals for Physical Activity are included in the Local Wellness Policy. These goals were developed using evidence-based strategies. Other School-Based Activities that Promote Student Wellness – Specific goals for Other School-Based Activities that Promote Student Wellness are included in the Local Wellness Policy. These goals were developed using evidence-based strategies. Nutrition Standards for School Meals – Nutrition standards for school meals that are consistent with the Federal regulations are included in the Local Wellness Policy. Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods – Nutrition standards that are consistent with the Federal regulations for competitive food and beverage items (i.e. Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards) sold to students on the school campus during the school day are included in the Local Wellness Policy. Standards for All Foods and Beverages Provided, but Not Sold – Standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold to students (e.g. classroom parties, rewards, etc. ) are included in the Local Wellness Policy. These standards are developed at the local level. Food and Beverage Marketing – Policies that allow the marketing of only food and beverage items that meet Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards are included in the Local Wellness Policy. Wellness Leadership – The position title of the LEA or school official(s) responsible for Local Wellness Policy oversight is identified in the Local Wellness Policy. Public Involvement – Language permitting the school community, including parents and students, and the general public to be involved in Local Wellness Policy processes, including development, implementation, and periodic reviews and updates, is included in the Local Wellness Policy. Triennial Assessments – Language regarding the completion of triennial assessments is included in the Local Wellness Policy. Please note, LEAs may conduct assessments more often than every three years. Local Wellness Policies must be updated or modified as appropriate. Reporting – Language outlining measures taken by the LEA to ensure public notification and access to the Local Wellness Policy and any assessments, reviews, and updates is included in the Local Wellness Policy. Unused Food Sharing Plan – In reference to Public Act 102-0359, language regarding the LEA’s unused food sharing plan is included in the Local Wellness Policy. Illinois State Board of Education, Nutrition Department November 2021

FAQs

What is the purpose of this checklist for schools?

It helps schools meet USDA requirements for Local Wellness Policy content when developing those policies.

Which nutrition and wellness sections are included in the checklist?

It includes nutrition education and promotion goals, physical activity goals, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness.

What requirements does the checklist cover regarding compliance and updates?

It covers nutrition standards for meals and competitive foods, public involvement, triennial assessment language, reporting for public notification and access, and updates or modifications as appropriate.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen