Skip to main content

School Nutrition Standards Media Toolkit

Videos

screenshot of a video still
Overview
screenshot of a video still
Added Sugars
Elementary School Meals are Great
Middle School Meals are Great
High School Meals are Great

Sample Social Media Content

The following outreach content can be used to share how USDA is supporting the health and well-being of America’s children through updating school meal nutrition standards.

  • #DYK Research shows that school meals are the most nutritious food source for American children—thanks in large part to the work of school nutrition professionals, parents, school meal partners, the food industry, and USDA to make school meals healthier over the past decade.
  • New updates to school meals focus on giving kids the right balance of nutrients, while reducing the amounts of added sugars in menu items, especially at breakfast. Learn more about the gradual changes.
  • #DYK: For the first time, added sugars will be limited in school meals nationwide. USDA heard concerns from parents and teachers about excessive amounts of added sugars in some foods, and research shows that these added sugars are common in typical school breakfast items. Learn more.
  • The updates to school nutrition standards will provide children with less sugars and sodium, which are too high in the American diet, and continue to provide nutritious foods including fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Learn more.
  • Current nutrition standards for whole grains are not changing! Schools will continue to offer students a variety of nutrient-rich whole grains and have the option to offer some enriched grains to meet students’ cultural and taste preferences. Learn more.
  • We will continue to do everything we can to provide support that improves the nutritional quality of school meals across America. Learn about the financial support that USDA is providing to schools. #schoolmeals
  • We are committed to promoting #NutritionSecurity for all kids, ensuring they have consistent access to nutritious foods and beverages that support their health and well-being. Learn more about the updated school nutrition standards. #schoolmeals 

Social Media Tiles

Click on each image to download a .jpg file.

Updated Standards
this change moves our children in the right direction and gives schools and industry time to prepare.
Instagram | X
small changes make a big difference
Instagram | X
school meals will be more nutritious and delicious!
Instagram | X
Added Sugars
Experts recommend that both kids and adults watch the added sugars in their diet.
Instagram | X
Starting in Fall 2025, breakfast cereals, yogurt, and flavored milk served at school will have limits on added sugars.
Instagram | X
By Fall 2027, on average, no more than 10% of the weekly calories in school meals will be from added sugars.
Instagram | X
Milk
Milk contains essential nutrients that kids need to grow and thrive.
Instagram | X
Schools can continue offering flavored and unflavored milk! There will be a new limit on added sugars in flavored milk by Fall 2023.
Instagram | X
Sodium
CN Final Rule Instagram Tile 1
Instagram | X
CN Final Rule Instagram Sodium Tile II
Instagram | X
Whole Grains
CN Whole Grains Instagram Tile
Instagram | X 
Quotes from Partners
partner quote
Instagram | X
twitter tile with a quote from a partner
Instagram | X
twitter tile with a quote from a partner
Instagram | X
partner twitter quote
Instagram | X
partner twitter quote
Instagram | X
partner twitter quote
Instagram | X
partner twitter quote
Instagram | X
photo with a quote "In Greely, we made the investment to cook from scratch early on, which made adjusting to new USDA standards a lot easier. By controlling the ingredients, preparations and portions, we can get creative to keep the food healthy and delicious." Danielle Bock
Instagram | X
picture with quote "We made speed scratch cooking a priority to reduce sodium and make meals healthier and more delicious. The inspiring side effect is that participation increased and now we’re serving an extra 1,000 meals a day at Natomas Unified."
Instagram | X
picture with quote "Healthy food doesn’t mean much if kids won’t eat it, so we’re using fresh ingredients and international spices to kick up the flavor, while keeping sodium low. This has given us the freedom to create food kids like while meeting updated USDA standards."
Instagram | X
image with quote “At the state agency level, we are committed to providing knowledge and resources supporting healthy, delicious school meals. We recently launched a culinary website with more than 200 chef-tested school recipes, culinary resources and a menu matrix that will be a valuable tool supporting the success of Georgia schools serving quality school meals and meeting the new USDA rules.”
Instagram | X
picture with quote "USDA school nutrition standards ensure kids get the meals they need to thrive. At Chartwells K12, we made sure our suppliers were ready so that every school we partner with, regardless of its resources, could provide their students healthy, delicious meals that meet the new standards.”
Instagram | X
portrait with quote “In Virginia schools we take the mindset that food isn’t manufactured, it’s prepared. By cooking meals in-house using local, seasonal ingredients, we’re not only meeting the new USDA standards, but also providing a healthy, delicious and meaningful experience for every student.”
Instagram | X
picture with quote "In Florida, feeding our school children is a team sport. By leveraging our buying power as a large district, HCPS has helped make healthy and delicious products that meet the new USDA standards available to more districts in the marketplace."
Instagram | X
picture with quote “At General Mills, we are a partner to school foodservice operators. We’re invested in seeing schools succeed in implementing the new USDA standards. We not only provide nutritious, great-tasting foods that meet the new standards but have also developed tools and resources, like sample menus, free webinars and toolkits to help schools become regulation-ready.”
Instagram | X
“Feeding our future generations requires a new take on K-12 culinary innovation focused on making nutritious foods for kids while maintaining great taste. We are collaborating across the industry and with customers, whether they are school nutrition directors or food manufacturers, to work on solutions. From protein-packed meals or new ingredients to lower added sugars, reduce sodium or increase fiber, we're making sure students are fueled for their school day and beyond. Together we all play a role in our
Instagram | X

Sample Newsletter Article

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

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:
  • Spring 2024
    USDA issues final rule on long-term school nutrition standards after listening to public feedback and following recommendations from the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
  • Fall 2024
    Schools will have additional menu options that will make it easier to offer local, vegetarian, and culturally appropriate menu items. No changes to flavored milk standards.
  • Fall 2025
    Limit on added sugars in cereals, yogurt, and milk. Schools will still be able to offer flavored milk with limits on added sugars.
  • Fall 2026
    There are no required changes; schools can voluntarily continue to gradually reduce added sugars and sodium.
  • Fall 2027
    No more than 10% of the weekly calories can come from added sugars. There will also be a 10% reduction in sodium for breakfast and a 15% reduction in sodium for lunch.

For more information about how school meals will be strengthened, visit CN Rule Updates.

Downloadable Infographics

screenshot of the final rule infographic showing all 4 main provisions
Final Rule Provisions
screenshot showing the journey to the final rule
How We Got Here
screenshot of the infographic showing the implementation timeline
Implementation Timeline
School Meals: Small Changes, Big Difference
Small Changes, Big Difference
Top things to know about school meals
Top Things to Know

Additional Resources

Media Contacts

Reporters looking for information can contact the FNS press team.

Page updated: October 15, 2024