Resources for developing and implementing healthy food procurement policies

Browse evidence and policy tools by type of guidance, setting, and location

WHO Nutrition-Friendly Schools Initiative

WHO Nutrition-Friendly Schools Initiative

World Health Organization
January 22, 2021
This initiative created a framework for addressing the double burden of student ill-health and aims to improve coordination among agencies. Refer to ‘NFSI Component 4: Creating a supportive environment’ in…
Legal guide on school food nutrition

Legal guide on school food and nutrition: ​Guide on legislating for a healthy school food environment​

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
December 31, 2020
Provides practical information and guidance for developing or revising national legal frameworks related to school food and nutrition.
NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy

NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy

NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT HEALTH, AUSTRALIA
November 1, 2020
This website contains a variety of resources for schools implementing the strategy, including webinars, guidance on how to develop menus, sample recipes, portion size guides, etc., as well as a…
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India’s School Children Regulation

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE, FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS AUTHORITY OF INDIA
September 30, 2020
India’s regulation including restrictions on the advertising, marketing, or selling of food products high in saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium on school campuses or to school…
Priority Actions to Advance Population Sodium Reduction

Priority actions to advance population sodium reduction

Nicole Ide et al
August 22, 2020
An article identifying high priority strategies that address reduction of sodium intake through home-cooked food, packaged food, and food consumed outside the home.
Journal articles
CDC’s Sodium Reduction in Communities Program: Evaluating Differential Effects in Food Service Settings, 2013–2016

CDC’s Sodium Reduction in Communities Program: Evaluating Differential Effects in Food Service Settings, 2013–2016

Jordan et al. Prv Chronic Dis. 2020.
July 31, 2020
Evaluation results on sodium reduction of CDC-funded state and local health departments implementing policies including food standards among institutional food settings.
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A Global Review of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines

HERFORTH A, ET AL. ADV NUTR. 2019
May 22, 2020
Review of current food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG), assessing the similarities and differences in key elements across countries
Journal articles
Enablers and barriers to implementation of and compliance with school-based healthy food and beverage policies: a systematic literature review and meta-synthesis

Enablers and barriers to implementation of and compliance with school-based healthy food and beverage policies: a systematic literature review and meta-synthesis

Ronto et al. Public Health Nutr. 2020
April 20, 2020
This study explores the enablers and barriers to effective implementation of and compliance with school-based food and beverage policies from countries around the world.
Developing and Applying a Mixed-Methods Evaluation Framework to Build the Business Case for Healthy Food Procurement at the Local Level

Developing and Applying a Mixed-Methods Evaluation Framework to Build the Business Case for Healthy Food Procurement at the Local Level

Robles B et al. SAGE Research Methods Cases. 2020.
March 23, 2020
Describes an evaluation by the Los Angeles Department of Health conducted with the goal to help institutional foodservice operators grow their business while also improving the nutritional quality of foods…
Sustainable Healthy Diets - Guiding Principles (2019)

Sustainable Healthy Diets – Guiding Principles (2019)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization
December 31, 2019
Guidance on what constitutes sustainable healthy diets.
Strengthening School Feeding Programmes (2019)

Strengthening School Feeding Programmes (2019)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Food Programme
December 31, 2019
Describes joint work to support school feeding programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Available in Spanish.
Technical guidance
Nutrition guidelines and standards for school meals. A report from 33 low and middle-income countries. (2019)

Nutrition guidelines and standards for school meals: A report from 33 low and middle-income countries (2019)

Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations
December 31, 2019
Results of global survey on school meals; report identifies key aspects to consider when developing or updating school meal program standards.
A review of food procurement and provision in hospitals and schools in Sri Lanka

A review of food procurement and provision in hospitals and schools in Sri Lanka

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. COUNTRY OFFICE FOR SRI LANKA.
December 31, 2019
An assessment of the food procurement environment in Sri Lankan schools and hospitals. Reviews existing policies, guidelines, evaluations, as well as recommendations for promoting healthy diets in schools and hospitals.
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INFORMAS Public Sector Policies and Actions – The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)

INFORMAS
December 1, 2019
The policy index measures the extent of implementation of health food environment policies by governments compared to international best practice and includes a module on Food Provision. Scientific article describes…
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Impact of the Food-Labeling and Advertising Law Banning Competitive Food and Beverages in Chilean Public Schools, 2014–2016

Massri, et al. Am J Public Health. 2019
August 31, 2019
Reviews the impact of the national law banning sales of competitive food and beverages in schools, based on Chile’s Law of Food Labeling and Advertising. Results show that availability of…
Pilas con Vitaminas (campaign to support healthier school canteens)

Pilas con Vitaminas (campaign to support healthier school canteens)

QUITO MINISTRY OF HEALTH
June 12, 2019
Initiative to improve the healthfulness of food sold at school canteens, consistent with national policy; includes marketing and branding materials; website in Spanish.
Israel Bans Sugary Drinks, Snacks from School Cafeterias

Israel Bans Sugary Drinks, Snacks from School Cafeterias

Skop Y. Haaretz; 2019 Apr 5.
April 19, 2019
Describes standards to limit sugar, salt, and fat in Israel’s schools and kindergartens.
School food standards: resources for schools

School food standards: resources for schools

United Kingdom Department of Education
March 26, 2019
School food standards, with guidance for administrators, a poster example, and a healthy eating checklist.
Strengthening sector policies for better food security and nutrition results: Public food procurement (2018)

Strengthening sector policies for better food security and nutrition results: Public food procurement (2018)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the European Union
December 31, 2018
Part of a series to help policy makers address national food security and nutrition issues; guidance is focused on developing initiatives that support food purchases from small farms.
Effectiveness of school food environment policies on children’s dietary behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Effectiveness of school food environment policies on children’s dietary behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

MICHA R ET AL. PLOS ONE. 2018.
March 29, 2018
Systematic review includes 12 studies evaluating school meal standards implemented in the US, Canada, or UK, which were found to: increase fruit intake, reduce total fat, saturated fat, and sodium…
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