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Smarter Lunchrooms Movement

United States (29,000+ schools), North America

The Smarter Lunchrooms Movement uses choice architecture to nudge students toward healthier food choices through low-cost or no-cost environmental changes in school cafeterias. Developed by Cornell's Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs, the approach includes placing fruit in attractive bowls (increasing sales 100%+), repositioning salad bars to high-traffic areas (200-300% increase), using creative vegetable names, and making white milk the "featured" choice. Over 29,000 U.S. schools have implemented these nudges.

Behavior Goal

Increase selection and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and healthier beverages in school meal settings through environmental nudges

Target Audiences

Youth/Adolescents

Channels

Schools

Implementers & Partners

  • Cornell University Center for Behavioral Economics
  • California Department of Education
  • USDA
  • State Education Agencies

Donors & Sponsors

  • USDA Food and Nutrition Service
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Key Takeaways

  • 1Placement changes (moving items to eye level, first in line) dramatically increase selection
  • 2Creative naming makes vegetables more appealing to children
  • 3Low-cost environmental changes can be more effective than nutrition education alone
  • 4Choice architecture respects autonomy while guiding better decisions

Sources

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