Local School Wellness

A local school wellness policy (LSWP) is a written document of official policies that guide a local educational agency (LEA) or school district’s efforts to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity. The local SWP requirement was established by the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265), and further strengthened by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. It requires that schools and institutions participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) must develop a LSWP that promotes the health of students and addresses the growing problem of childhood obesity. The responsibility for LSWP development is at the local level to allow each school district and institution to address their unique needs.​

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) requires that each local educational agency (LEA) participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) must complete an assessment of their local school wellness policy (LSWP) at least once every three years.