Healthier School Lunches Are Winning Over Students

Healthier School Lunches Are Winning Over Students

                                         By Journalist Mackenzie B.

        While many students weren’t happy about getting more nutritious

school lunches when their districts first began complying with new federal meal standards in the 2012-13 school year, they eventually warmed up to the healthier fare. It took a while for students to get use to the taste of all wheat pasta and bread.  Today, students are starting to eat vegetables that  perhaps they hadn’t tried before the school started making sure every student had two servings of vegetables and fruit.  Students are now complaining less and eating as much as they did before the rules went into place.

Policymakers at all levels should be encouraged by these findings and should continue to support schools’ efforts to provide students with healthy meals and snacks. Students at Chillicothe Middle School receive free breakfast and lunch each day because of the economy level of our community. When 40% of the population is below the poverty level a school can apply for the program.

Schools are required to serve more fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains and to limit calories, fat, and sodium in their meals. Supporters of the standards, including First Lady Michelle Obama, have argued that they are necessary to address childhood obesity and related illnesses. Students who eat a healthy breakfast and lunch are better able to focus on their school coursework.

Thank you Chillicothe School District for looking out for your students!