Food Marketing in Schools

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented new rules that prohibit the marketing of products that do not meet nutrition standards to children and teens in schools during the school day. However, food companies continue to market sugary drinks and junk food brands to children through their schools, including through branded fundraisers, “educational” materials, incentives for teachers, and sponsorships. Additionally, despite these regulations, using branded “look-alike” snacks allows companies to sell junk food in schools during the school day.

When we send our children to school, we expect them to learn about math, reading, and science. But food companies are also trying to teach them about their brands. Marketing soda, candy, fast food, and other unhealthy products in schools undermines efforts to teach children about good health and nutrition.

Infographic About Vending Machines with Junk Food in Schools. The snacks sold in schools matter, and selling look-alike snacks undermines schools' ability to teach good nutrition. Infographic about "Look-alike" Smart Snacks in schools. The food industry creates "look-alike" versions of their popular snack foods like Cheetos, Froot Rollups, and Froot Loops to sell in schools. Students believe that look-alike Smart Snacks and the less nutritious versions sold in stores are similar in healthfulness and expect them to taste the same, proving that this food marketing in schools is deceptive and harmful.

Resources

Rudd Center Research

Presentations

Food Marketing in Schools downloadable presentation:

Youth Exposure to Food & Beverage Brands in Schools downloadable presentation:

Fact Sheet

Food Marketing in Schools fact sheet:

Federal Regulations on Food Marketing in Schools

Federal Rule language states that schools may only "permit marketing on the school campus during the school day of those foods and beverages that meet the nutrition standards under 210.11 and promote student health and reduce childhood obesity." School marketing includes the use of names, depictions, products, brands, logos, trademarks, spokespersons, or characters on any property or facility owned or leased by the school district or school. This includes any facilities used during the school day for school-related activities, such as school buildings and campus, outside areas adjacent to school buildings, athletic fields, school buses, and parking lots. Note that marketing can be found in many locations, including:

  • signs, scoreboards, sports equipment
  • curricula, textbooks, websites used for educational purposes, or other educational materials (both printed and electronic)
  • exteriors of vending machines, food or beverage cups or containers, food display racks, coolers, trash and recycling containers, etc.
  • advertisements in school publications, on school radio stations, in-school television, computer screen savers and/or school-sponsored Internet sites, or announcements on the public announcement (PA) system
To comply with this federal regulation on food marketing in schools, districts can include clear language in their wellness policies about marketing on their school campus during the school day being restricted to foods and beverages that meet Smart Snacks standards.

WellSAT

The Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT) is a quantitative assessment tool to help school districts score and improve their Local School Wellness Policies, including policies on food marketing in schools. Further, the corresponding WellSAT Practice tool (formerly known as WellSAT-I) helps districts evaluate their implementation of specific practices. Since 2010, this measure has been used by thousands of people across the country, representing school districts from every state.