Over the past two years, there has been a marked emphasis on healthy school environments and increasing availability of nutritious foods, according to SNA's School Nutrition Operations Report: The State of School Nutrition 2007.

Released last week, the report is an updated version of a similar report issued in May 2005. It was based on a survey of 1,200 school nutrition directors around the US, and benchmarks detailed information impacting school nutrition programs.

The report found that 97 percent of schools offer fat-free or low-fat milk, 96 percent offer fresh fruits and vegetables, 88 percent offer salad bars or pre-packaged salads, and 81 percent offer yogurt and yogurt drinks.

In addition, from-scratch baked items are available in 63 percent of schools, and vegetarian meals in 52 percent. The availability of locally grown fruits and vegetables also increased to 32 percent of schools.

The nutritional profile of foods and beverages sold in schools has been in the spotlight for several years, following increasing concern about the nation's raising childhood obesity rates.

Under terms of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, as of July 1, 2006 every school that participates in the school lunch or school breakfast program- the large majority of US schools- was required to have a local wellness policy in place.

The policy, designed to address the problem of childhood obesity, requires that schools set nutrition standards for all foods sold in school, including in vending machines, a la carte lines, and school stores.

Although the wellness policy is federally regulated and can differ form school to school, it contributes to addressing a loophole that allows the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to set standards for foods sold in the lunchroom, but forbids it from setting standards for foods sold elsewhere on campus.

According to SNA, many of the positive changes cited in its latest reports are due in part to the implementation of local wellness policies this past school year.

The group's latest survey found that in addition to following federal dietary guidelines, more than 87 percent of school districts have nutrition requirements for the foods and beverages sold by school foodservice, up 30 percent from 2005.

Three out of five school districts also have nutrition restrictions for foods and beverages sold by groups outside the cafeteria such as PTA's, athletic departments and student governments, a four-fold increase from two years ago.

"The findings from this survey are a clear indication of the tremendous strides made by school nutrition directors, managers and employees nationwide to help children make the right food choices," said School Nutrition Association president Mary Hill, SNS, and executive director of Child Nutrition Services for Jackson Public Schools in Mississippi.

The survey was conducted in spring of 2007. The full report can be obtained from SNA's website (click here ).