Biden-Harris Administration Announces New School Meal Standards to Strengthen Child Nutrition

K-12 schools serve nutritious breakfasts and lunches to nearly 30 million children every school day. These meals are the main source of nutrition for more than half of these children and help improve child health. That’s why the USDA is gradually updating the nutrition standards for school meals to include less sugar – for the first time – and more menu planning options between Fall 2025 and Fall 2027.

The USDA arrived at these changes after listening closely to public feedback and considering the latest science-based recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This gradual approach will give schools, kids, and industry plenty of time to adjust. School meals will continue to include fruits and vegetables, emphasize whole grains, and give kids the right balance of nutrients for healthy, tasty meals.

Implementation timeline for updating school meal standards: