Title: School Lunch Guidelines and Controversy
Headings: School Lunch Guidelines and Controversy
School Lunch Guidelines and Controversy
The School Lunch Guidelines
Funding Considerations
Common Criticisms
Overreach
Meal Appeal
Cost
Sufficient Calorie Content
Options for Schools
Opt-Out
Exemption or Delay

Content: Furthermore, "approved" healthier foods tend to spoil quicker than those with added sugars and salt, which increase shelf life, making restocking and increased refrigeration cost concerns as well. Some also bemoan the lost revenue from selling high-sugar or high-fat snack and dessert items. The combined effect of all of this plus declining sales of the regular lunches overall has created financial challenges for some school cafeterias. Some schools have tried to bridge the gap by holding fundraisers, adjusting their budgets, or making changes that encourage kids to buy healthier foods. Sufficient Calorie Content
The calorie maximums for school lunches are based on research data for what the majority of children need. The maximum calorie limit for the meal increases with age, ranging from 650 calories for elementary-age students to up to 850 calories for high school students. 5 ﻿
Some people fear that highly active students or those who are very large for their age will not get enough calories to sustain themselves throughout the school day. Options for Schools
While the majority of school districts are working hard to comply with the new standards, some are refusing to adopt the new lunch standards. For schools that decide that the new guidelines simply won't work for them, there are two main options: Opt-Out
When a public school or district decides to opt-out of the USDA School Lunch program, they are no longer required to comply with the standards.