what it means for you

Children in the District of Columbia are at risk of serious health problems stemming from hunger, poor nutrition, inadequate physical activity, and environmental hazards in our community. Meanwhile, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are the second leading cause of preventable death in D.C.

We must act now to ensure the health and well-being of Washington, DC children! Let’s put the Act in action!

what the Healthy Schools Act means for students:

  • Free breakfast served at a time when students can access the most important meal of the day
  • Healthier lunches with more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
  • Elimination of the reduced-price copayment for lunch — this means lunch is free for students who previously had to pay 20 cents at DCPS and 40 cents at most public charter schools
  • Local produce fresh produce from area farms
  • Higher nutrition standards for food sold in the cafeteria, school stores, and vending machines to help students eat healthy throughout the day
  • More opportunities for physical activity to help students develop lifelong habits for health
  • Increased health education to help students learn how to stay safe and healthy
  • Greener school environments more opportunities for school gardens, recycling, energy-reduction improvements, and enhanced lead water and paint testing

what the Healthy Schools Act means for families:

  • Assurance that children will be fueled with healthy food and ready to learn
  • Readily-accessible information on school nutrition
  • Promotion of healthy eating and active living through increased health education and physical activity
  • Public reporting requirements so families will know about school environmental testing results and health program offerings

what the Healthy Schools Act means for schools:

  • New local funding in addition to federal reimbursements for school meals
  • Opportunities to strengthen physical activity
  • Promotion of health education
  • Local funding for school gardens
  • New recycling, energy-reduction, lead water and paint testing, and other environmental programs

what the Healthy Schools Act means for Washington, DC:

  • A chance to lead the nation in implementing comprehensive school wellness legislation.
  • More children with consistent access to nutritious meals. Facts: One out of 8 D.C. families struggles with hunger. And 37.4% of households with children reported that in 2009-2010 they were unable to afford enough food in the last year.
  • More children adopting healthy lifestyles that help prevent obesity Fact: 43% of all D.C. school-age children are obese or overweight.
  • More children eating enough fruits and vegetables each day. Fact: 81% of D.C. children do not get the USDA-recommended 5 fruits and vegetables a day.
  • More children being physically active. Fact: Only about 30% of District children do the CDC-recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
  • More children learning wellness and preventative health practices.