Integrating IOM recommendations in school nutrition policies

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second largest school district in the nation, has been a leader in reforming school meals. The District is currently working to expand their nutrition efforts by adopting a new school nutrition policy to integrate the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) school meals nutrition recommendations that call for increased access to fruits and vegetables, and limits on calories and sodium. These recommendations were recently included in the USDA's proposed nutrition guidelines for the federal school meals programs. LAUSD is collaborating with the California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA), the Urban Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) and the Healthy School Food Coalition (HSFC) to build support for early adoption. This presentation will review key components of the policy process to adopt and implement the IOM recommendations including policy development, community and decision-maker engagement, grassroots advocacy, marketing and communication, leadership and key implementation issues including menu planning, food purchasing, and nutrition education. Discussion of how the District overcame political barriers and policy challenges will also be reviewed. LAUSD's early adoption will act as a model for other school districts nationwide working to adopt and integrate the IOM recommendations to reform their district's school meals landscape.