SFUSD board adopts broad wellness policy tightening nutrition, physical activity and fundraising rules

The San Francisco Unified School District board on April 28 adopted a comprehensive wellness policy (P5167) intended to raise nutrition and physical-activity standards, enhance student and staff wellness, and close loopholes the district said had limited effectiveness in earlier policies.

Executive director Orla O'Keefe and staff described the 14-page policy as a collaborative effort involving students, parents, staff and City & County health partners. The policy includes updated nutrition guidelines that "meet or exceed current SFUSD standards," clarifies allowable foods and beverages (the board amended language to reference "sweetened beverages" to capture drinks with added caloric sweeteners), and mandates districtwide access to drinking water and expanded breakfast-in-class options.

The rules committee and Food and Fitness Advisory Committee provided input over months. Public commenters from the advisory committee, school-based nutrition coordinators and partner groups (including the American Heart Association) praised the proposed changes; Colleen Cavanaugh of Better Course called the document "the right thing to do" despite challenges to implementation. Staff said the district will use a Department of Public Health grant to create a multilingual, consumer-friendly version of the policy and materials for families and staff.

Key operational changes cited by board members include a phase-out of chocolate milk in favor of healthier options, restrictions on foods used for fundraisers at school sites, and a prohibition on withholding recess as a behavioral consequence. Commissioners pressed staff on budget and staffing implications; staff and the budget committee said implementation costs will be considered in the upcoming budget-development cycle and that some near-term expenses will be prioritized as part of that process.

The board approved the policy as amended; roll call recorded seven ayes.