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: The results showed that the same number of students continued to buy school lunches even once the new lunches had more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. That said, there are conflicting reports that schools in different parts of the nation noticed a drop in sales in their lunchrooms and more food being thrown away after the guidelines were in place. Funding Considerations
Schools must follow the HHFKA standards to receive federal dollars for their lunch programs. While some school districts only receive 1 percent or 2 percent of their lunch budget from the USDA before sales, many districts receive substantially more dollars through the free and reduced lunch program. The free and reduced school meals program reimburses part or all of the cost of school lunch for children from low-income families. This reimbursement money may make up a small percentage of an affluent school's lunch program or almost all of the funding for programs in schools in high-poverty areas. 4 ﻿ In other words, the neediest schools are forced to comply with these guidelines in order to be reimbursed for providing meals to their students. Common Criticisms
These school lunch guidelines are more specific and extensive than those of the past and are a point of controversy even today. Some school districts and parents have rallied against them, and they were even a popular talking point for Republicans during the 2016 presidential primary, with candidates promising to roll back the guidelines to allow saltier and tastier foods in school lunches. Among the concerns held by opponents: