In the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, PL 105-268, the U.S. Congress established a new requirement for all local agencies with a federally funded National School Lunch program. The local agencies are required to develop and implement wellness policies that address nutrition and physical activity by the start of the 2006-07 school year. In response to this requirement the South Dakota Department of Education (SDDOE) convened a work group consisting of health, physical activity, nutrition, and education professionals representing a variety of organizations, plus students and parents, to develop a wellness policy for local agencies. The model wellness policy developed by SDDOE meets the new federal requirement. It is based on science, research, and existing practices from exemplary states and local school districts around the country. The first priority of the work group was to promote children's health and well-being; however, feasibility of policy implementation was also considered. Components of this model include nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities (i.e., eating environment, timing of recess, vending machines).