Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act Case Study

CSPI developed a case study, published in Nutrition Today, that provides insights into policy strategy and advocacy best practices that resulted in passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), a public health law that removed soda and other junk food from schools and resulted in unprecedented improvements to school meals with more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and less salt and trans fat.

The case study outlines key lessons to help inform nutrition and public health policy initiatives, as well as continued implementation and defense of school nutrition. It describes how advocates used research to develop and advocate for policy change, compromises that were needed to advance the policies, changes in attitudes about school food policy over time, framing and messaging, the role of state and local policy that laid the groundwork for national change, and how challenges were resolved between stakeholders.

Read the case study.

One-page summary.

View the webinar recording (registration required).

Case Study Graphics:

How Advocates Improved School Foods Infographic. (download the image)

Key Insights and Best Practices. (download the image)

Timeline: Key School Nutrition Policy Milestones, 2004 to 2016. (download the image)

CSPI School Food Case Study: Timeline - Key School Nutrition Policy Milestones, 2004 to 2016 — Text Plot Menu

MARCH 24 CNR bill passed out FEBRUARY 8 of Senate Agriculture DECEMBER 2 USDA issued Committee House passed proposed rule for unanimously as FEBRUARY 4 HHFKA with competitive foods Healthy Hunger-Free USDA issued JUNE 30 bipartisan support standards (Smart Kids Act proposed rule Snacks) "Child Nutrition for professional Reauthorization and standards for WIC Reauthoriza- school nutrition MARCH 2 tion Act of 2004" JANUARY 13 personnel USDA issued final MARCH 17 (Public Law 108-265) USDA issued rule for professional signed into law by Sen. Blanche Lincoln proposed rule for standards for school President George introduced Senate updated school meal nutrition personnel

How Advocates Improved School Foods. (download the image)

CSPI School Food Case Study: How Advocates Improved School Foods

Slide presentation: How CSPI Passes Policies: The HHFKA of 2010

If you have any questions, please contact policy@cspinet.org.