Schools represent an ideal venue to influence dietary habits of large numbers of children. While the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is mandated to meet clear nutrition standards for calories, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, sodium, fat, and saturated fat, there are no nutritional requirements for packed lunches. This Current Issue provides a brief background on the NSLP and research on packed lunches in U.S. schools and internationally in the context of the childhood overweight and obesity epidemic. More research is needed to understand child and parent motivations for bringing packed lunches instead of participating in the NSLP and decision making around which foods items are included. A multidimensional approach is needed to improve the nutritional quality of lunches consumed at schools. School health professionals in partnership with school administrators can play a critical role in strengthening school wellness policies and implementing nutrition education initiatives for children and parents.