School board adopts 2025–26 nutrition and physical-activity wellness policy

The school board on a 10-0 vote approved the district's 2025'26 nutrition and physical-activity wellness policy, which updates nutrition standards, expands student and parent feedback and commits the district to continued promotion of physical activity. The vote came after a presentation by a food-service staff member who outlined changes and outreach plans. Why it matters: the policy governs school meals, nutrition education, food marketing and physical-activity expectations for the 2025'26 school year and frames how the district will collect feedback from students and families. The policy also aligns meal programs with federal school-meal rules and the district's Community Eligibility Program participation. During a roughly 20-minute presentation, the district's food-service representative described the policy's components and next steps: creating an online questionnaire for students and parents, hosting small vendor "food show" events at schools for students to sample new items and convening the wellness committee on Jan. 16, 2026, at Sherman Elementary at 2 p.m. The presenter said the policy supports healthier preparation techniques, encourages an adequate time for students to eat and promotes a positive cafeteria environment, including posters and education programs. On beverages, the presenter reiterated current practice: water, 100% fruit juice and low-fat milk are offered; chocolate milk and white milk are available. The presenter also emphasized that the district discourages using food as a reward and said the policy encourages at least 60 minutes per day of student physical activity through recess, PE and sports. Board members asked operational questions: one member asked whether schools have vending machines; the presenter replied, "there's no vending machines" in the schools and clarified that authorized snacks for field trips are limited to items on the LA Fit Kids list. Trustees praised plans to involve vendors and students in piloting new menu items; the presenter said Tulane dietetic interns helped design promotional posters and that commodity and contracted vendors have been engaged. The board adopted the policy after a motion by Miss Dysart, seconded by Miss Bowman; the motion passed 10-0. The approved policy is posted on the district website and the presenter said stipulations will be revisited after the committee meets and reviews feedback from the fall menus and surveys.