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Abstract
A key goal of the Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act of 2010 is to ensure that children have
access to healthy foods in schools. While the new policy mandates that healthy items must be
included on the lunch line—and even that children must take certain foods—there is concern
both over whether children will choose to eat the healthier fare, and what the ultimate cost may
be to schools that comply. We propose a series of behavioral nudges–the total lunchroom
makeover–that may help lead children to make healthier choices at little cost the schools in
accordance with the goals of the new legislation.. We report the results from a field experiment
in which a series of nudges lead to significant increases in the consumption of fruits and
vegetables—a substantive step in the right direction.