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: Meal Appeal
Some parents and school district lunch administrators alike feel that the new limits on salt, sugar, and fat combined with increases in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will lead to meals that children simply won't eat . Parents have complained to their local schools that their children come home hungry after refusing to eat their school lunches, which the aforementioned reports of sales and discarded food echo. Some school lunchrooms have responded by adopting strategies to make healthier foods more appealing. Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab conducts research dedicated to the presentation of healthy food choices in lunchrooms to encourage children to make better choices. School Lunches Kids Want to Eat
Cost
Some administrators note that foods that fit the guidelines (fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole-grain tortillas, buns, and brown rice, for example) typically cost more compared to those previously sourced to make school lunches. 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.