School Lunch Program Research Paper
Do students have the right to eat as they choose? Or are school administrators and the federal government making children sick? Critics and supporters have debated the ingredients of school provided student lunches for several years, yet there has been no nutritional improvement in the quality of food served. While there are advocates, such as first lady Michelle Obama, fighting for healthier food choices, many critics believe the kids will not eat fresh, wholesome food. Numerous studies have found a relationship between the negative health outcomes of students and their participation in the National School Lunch Program, to include competitive foods. Although students have a lot of control over what they eat for lunch at school, they do not
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Bornstein noted that schools lose money every day because it costs more money to prepare meals than the reimbursement they get from the federal government. He also discusses that because funding is such a critical issue, schools have turned to offering “competitive foods”. These foods do not meet the USDA guidelines, have minimal nutritional value, and are not part of the National School Lunch Program (Bornstein). Typically, these foods are sold in vending machines, school stores, snack bars, and a la carte in the cafeteria. Bornstein reports that without full funding from the government, schools are being pinched, and need a quick way to make money. “That’s why we have vending machines, sell a la carte, and purchase unhealthy foods along with healthy foods. They’re cheaper than the healthier foods, and we can turn a greater profit” (Bornstein). Although this strategy may lead to greater profits, this method encourages unhealthy eating and defeats the purpose of providing nutritionally balanced healthy lunches.
School prepared lunches and other competitive foods clearly have all the right ingredients of contributing to childhood obesity. Many children, who rely on these meals, consume much of their daily calories from these meals. These high calories, along with sugar sweetened milk and juices, puts the child at a higher risk for excess body fat during childhood. Along the way, someone forget that the original plan of the school lunch program was to provide nutritious lunches low-income. Unfortunately, the children do not make the decisions of what can and can’t be served during
Bornstein noted that schools lose money every day because it costs more money to prepare meals than the reimbursement they get from the federal government. He also discusses that because funding is such a critical issue, schools have turned to offering “competitive foods”. These foods do not meet the USDA guidelines, have minimal nutritional value, and are not part of the National School Lunch Program (Bornstein). Typically, these foods are sold in vending machines, school stores, snack bars, and a la carte in the cafeteria. Bornstein reports that without full funding from the government, schools are being pinched, and need a quick way to make money. “That’s why we have vending machines, sell a la carte, and purchase unhealthy foods along with healthy foods. They’re cheaper than the healthier foods, and we can turn a greater profit” (Bornstein). Although this strategy may lead to greater profits, this method encourages unhealthy eating and defeats the purpose of providing nutritionally balanced healthy lunches.
School prepared lunches and other competitive foods clearly have all the right ingredients of contributing to childhood obesity. Many children, who rely on these meals, consume much of their daily calories from these meals. These high calories, along with sugar sweetened milk and juices, puts the child at a higher risk for excess body fat during childhood. Along the way, someone forget that the original plan of the school lunch program was to provide nutritious lunches low-income. Unfortunately, the children do not make the decisions of what can and can’t be served during