Administrators, teachers, school food service and other personnel, parents and students, all need to be involved in this effort. Decisions made in all school programming need to reflect and encourage positive nutrition messages and healthy food choices. This includes coordination of nutrition education with the cafeteria and the promotion of healthy food choices in the cafeteria and all school events from fund-raisers to rewards for positive classroom behavior. Establishing a nutrition policy is an effective way to create a school environment that supports healthy food choices. The policy sets standards and guidelines that promote healthy eating in all facets of the school life.
Parent involvement can be in person or through communication sent to the home.
The effectiveness of school-based nutrition programs and services can be enhanced by outreach efforts in the surrounding community. At the very least, school personnel should be familiar with the health and nutrition resources available through the town and local agencies. Contacts can be made with the health department, community nutrition programs, health centers, local food pantries and fitness programs. Once contacts are established, schools can collaborate with other community agencies to positively influence the health and nutritional status of school-age children. As schools reshape themselves to meet the educational needs of students in the 21st century, they need to recognize their role in health promotion in general and nutritional health in particular.