Wellness Policy

The Wellness Policy demonstrates OUSD's commitment to the link between student wellness, nutrition and learning potential. It is focused on equity and respect for the diverse populations across OUSD. Learn more below!

Key Focus Areas

🍎 Nutritious Meals For Every Student

Every TK–12 student is entitled to two free meals daily (breakfast and lunch), regardless of family income.
Nutritious meals and snacks are provided year-round, including during summer programs, with menus that reflect cultural variety.
OUSD partners with CalFresh, local food banks, and community organizations to expand access to healthy food.
Students always have access to free, clean drinking water on campus.

🏫 Healthy Food on Campus

All food and beverages sold or served in schools must meet or exceed state and federal nutrition standards.
“Competitive foods” (sold outside of meal programs, such as in vending machines or fundraisers) must follow OUSD nutrition guidelines.
Soda, candy, and other low-nutrition items are not allowed at school events.
Classroom celebrations with non-compliant foods are limited to once per month, after lunch periods.
Food is never withheld as punishment, and non-food rewards are encouraged.
Schools cannot display advertisements for food or beverages that do not meet OUSD nutrition standards.

🐞 School Gardens & Living Schoolyards

Gardens and living schoolyards provide spaces for calm reflection, physical activity, food growing, and community gatherings.
OUSD supports garden programs with toolkits, standards, and integration into curriculum.
Some produce grown in gardens can be shared with families and incorporated into meals through Garden-to-Cafeteria programs.

🥕 Environment, Food & Garden Education

The Center serves as a hub for hands-on food, nutrition, and garden education.
Programs are research-based, aligned with state health education frameworks and Next Generation Science Standards.
Students engage in planting, harvesting, preparing, and tasting healthy foods, connecting classroom learning to real-life skills.

🎓 Staff Wellness & Role Modeling

Healthy, supported staff are essential for student success.
OUSD promotes staff wellness programs, physical activity opportunities, and safe working conditions.
Staff are encouraged to model healthy eating, fitness, and positive wellness behaviors for students.
Teachers and staff receive ongoing training on wellness policies, nutrition standards, and physical education.
Nutrition Services staff are trained in alignment with USDA Professional Standards.

⚽ Physical Education & Daily Activity

PE is an essential part of every student’s education, helping them build lifelong fitness skills, positive habits, and self-confidence.
OUSD PE programs meet or exceed California requirements for instruction, minutes, and fitness testing.
Students, regardless of ability, have daily opportunities for movement through PE, recess, after-school activities, athletics, and classroom activity breaks.

Leadership & Collaboration

OUSD’s Wellness Policy is a team effort. A districtwide Wellness Policy Advisory Group (including parents, students, staff, and community partners) meets twice a year to provide guidance and recommendations. Schools also have the opportunity to identify an Environment Food and Garden Champion or a Staff Wellness Champion to lead activities around nutrition, gardens, and staff wellness. Families are kept informed through newsletters, meetings, websites, and social media. Information about 2025-2026 meetings coming soon!

Accountability & Transparency

OUSD reviews the Wellness Policy every three years to make sure schools are meeting goals. Progress is reported to the School Board, staff, families, and the community. Policies and updates are posted in cafeterias and on the OUSD website. Records are kept to ensure compliance with state and federal standards and to show our commitment to student and staff well-being. The most recent presentation to the OUSD School Board was in September 2024.

More Resources

Refer to the Wellness Policy and the corresponding Administrative Regulations below for more information.

OUSD Board Policy 5030 (Wellness Policy) Amended September 2024 .pdf

Wellness Policy (Board Policy 5030)

(updated 2024)

OUSD FINAL WELLNESS POLICY. pdf

Wellness Policy Administrative Regulations

(updated 2024)

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Access to Healthy Food at OUSD

OUSD is committed to providing access to healthy food to all students in OUSD schools throughout the day. Healthy food gives the body the nutrients it needs to maintain health, feel good, and have energy. Access to healthy food and beverages in school is important because children pay better attention in class, build good eating habits, and are less likely to develop chronic disease. Everyone in our community has a role in helping our students succeed! Learn more about how with this handout.

Access To Healthy Foods Overview 2025.pdf

2024 New Years Resolutions Memo

Environment, Food and Garden (EFG) New Year’s Resolutions for OUSD School Sites in 2025

How can your school support a school culture that integrates health through food and gardens in 2025?

We encourage you to integrate these resolutions into your work at your school site in order to encourage healthy food and beverage choices and environment, food, and garden (EFG) programming for students, staff, and communities at OUSD school sites. Brought to you by the EFG Programs team at The Center.

Here are other sources for inspiration to help your site build a school culture that prioritizes access to healthy food, including healthy celebrations and non-food based activities:

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