10/13/2026
54.4% of U.S. children are inadequately hydrated on any given day. Lunch is a daily chance to change that number.
A healthy school lunch is about more than what’s on the tray. It’s also an opportunity to encourage healthy hydration. The 2025 to 2030 Dietary Guidelines name water as the primary beverage, and federal rules already call for free water where school meals are served.
The next step is making water easy to see, easy to reach, and appealing to students. Cups, hydration stations, and a friendly nudge from school staff all help.
Healthy hydration is a healthy choice, and school is where kids practice making it.
This National School Lunch Week, we’re celebrating the people who help feed students while highlighting one simple part of a healthy school day: access to drinking water.
Learn More: cdc.gov/school-nutrition/water-access/index.html
School Nutrition Association