Title: Unhealthy School Lunches Not Making the Grade
Headings: Unhealthy School Lunches Not Making the Grade
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Unhealthy School Lunches Not Making the Grade
Processed foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt have become a mainstay of lunches in schools across America and the results are in — experts say these unhealthy school lunches are a contributing factor to the childhood obesity epidemic. A movement is afoot to bring change to school lunch programs across the country.

Content: The possible consequences of childhood obesity can range from physical complications such as diabetes and high blood pressure, to social problems like low self-esteem and depression. And those problems can lead to children who don’t perform as well in school. Simply put: “ healthy students are better learners,” according to Rochelle Davis, the founding Executive Director for the Healthy Schools Campaign. “What’s wrong with school lunches is what is wrong with all the food we’re eating — it’s not just in the schools,” Davis says. “ One of the biggest deficits is the lack of fruits and vegetables and whole grains.” But there are many obstacles to improving unhealthy school lunches, not the least of which is money. Schools receive $2.68 for each free meal served through the National School Lunch Program, a federal meal program. That $2.68 must cover payment not just for the food, but also any labor, facility, and structural costs a school incurs. Additionally, schools are mandated to use part of that money for milk purchases.