Resources

A growing body of evidence concludes that sugary drinks, like sodas and sports drinks, are a large driver of the obesity epidemic, contributing countless empty calories to our diets. Policymakers are rightly focusing on removing these unhealthy beverages from schools and replacing them with water. The resources below highlight valuable information, research, and policy efforts to support water in schools.

Organizations

  • California Food Policy Advocates – Check CFPA’s website for more information on promoting water in schools, including fact sheets, reports, and policy updates.
  • School Nutrition Association – The School Nutrition Association represents school food service staff across the country.  The SNA website has useful updates and resources related to school nutrition.
  • University of California, Berkeley – Tap water is not just for K-12! Read about UC Berkeley’s efforts to promote tap water, including their campaign materials

Reports and Toolkits

  • Water Works Guide  – Download your free copy of Water Works – A Guide to Improving Water Access and Consumption in Schools. The guide provides strategies, tools, and resources to help you make water the go-to beverage for students
  • National Policy & Legal Analysis Network (NPLAN) – NPLAN produced this useful fact sheet on promoting water consumption in schools.

Programs

  • Boston Public Health Commission – This Commission has put together a Healthy Beverages Toolkit for organizations, institutions, and government agencies that outlines a comprehensive approach to improving the beverage environment
  • California Obesity Prevention Program (COPP) – The California Obesity Prevention Program (COPP) is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded program within the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that is working towards the goal of increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and preventing obesity among all Californians.

Additional Resources

  • California Department of Education – Check CDE’s “Drinking Water for Students in Schools” page for more on how to provide water in schools
  • California Project LEAN – is a joint program of the California Department of Public Health and the Public Health Institute.  California Project LEAN works to advance nutrition and physical activity policy in schools and communities in order to prevent obesity and its associated chronic diseases.  
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – The CDC has a webpage focusing on adolescent and school health, specifically on water access in schools.
  • USDA, Food and Nutrition Service – The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers the school meal programs.  The FNS website provides updates, resources, guidance, and more from the federal government on school nutrition.
  • Water Woes: Recommendations for Creating Healthier School Environments – This is a great resource from California’s Northcoast Nutrition and Fitness Collaborative on the importance of promoting water consumption and the need to do so.
  • Take Back the Tap – “Take Back the Tap” is a campaign run by Food and Water Watch to encourage tap water consumption and reduce bottled water use. 
  • Water First: Think your Drink – This colorful website contains tips and tools for parents and kids on the importance of drinking water and reducing consumption of sugary drinks.
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