Litigation is an important tool in CSPI’s toolbox. In 2019, CSPI and Healthy School Food Maryland, represented by Democracy Forward, brought a case against USDA in federal court in Maryland over a rule that rolled back nutrition standards on whole grains and sodium in school meals. The court struck down the rule on the ground that the USDA failed to provide public notice of its plan to gut the standards.

CSPI advocates for federal policies that protect healthy school meal policies through the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA Coalition), the nation’s largest nutrition coalition. One of NANA’s recent victories was successfully advocating for added sugar limits for school meals. Wins like this are accomplished through collective strategic efforts including sign-on letters, education, meetings with policymakers, and advocacy opportunities like Hill Days.  

For more information please visit NANA’s Child Nutrition priorities for the current Congress.

CSPI works with researchers and academic institutions to help identify gaps in the evidence, ensuring sound nutrition policy and regulation at all levels.

CSPI supports state and local campaigns to ensure strong nutrition standards in schools.  Check out our resources for state and local advocates below. CSPI also convenes a collaborative of state and local school nutrition policy advocates. To join the collaborative, contact policy@cspi.org. Finally, CSPI provides subgrants to state and local organizations advocating for policy change, such as statewide healthy school meals for all. Learn more about our subgrant opportunities and our past and current partners here.

• Healthy school meals for all: A toolkit for advocates
• School Food Access and Quality (American Heart Association)
• 10 Key Findings on the Impact of School Nutrition Programs (Healthy Eating Research)
• Fact sheet: Messaging guidance for an effective school food campaign
• American Heart Association: Healthy School Meals
• Healthy School Lunches Improve Kids’ Habits (Pew Charitable Trusts)
• Resources for schools to support healthy menu development

• Upcoming kitchen equipment fact sheet

• Model state school foods bill
• Optional Provisions for Local Wellness Policies

• Improving the Environmental Impact of the School Meals Programs
• Cut Waste, Not Nutrition, in School Meals
• What You Can Do To Help Prevent Wasted Food (USDA)
• Studies on Food Waste (Pew Charitable Trusts)

• School Nutrition Standards: Evidence-based standards protect and improve children's health
• Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Nutrition Standards in School Meals: A Recent History
• Behind the Carton - 2022 School Milk Report
• School Meals Corporate Report Card 2021
• Lowering Sodium in School Foods (American Heart Association)
• Reducing Added Sugar in School Foods

• No Time to Eat

• Tips for Educators
• Tips for Making Healthy Lunches for Less
• Tips for Successfully Transitioning to Healthier Menu Options (NANA)
• Tips for Serving Whole Grains That Kids Love (or Don’t Even Notice are Whole Grains) (NANA)
• Tips for Reducing Sodium Without Sacrificing Taste or Participation (NANA)
• Tips for Reducing Added Sugar While Maintaining Great Taste (NANA)