“I prefer hot lunch just because I think it tastes a lot fresher usually, and not like it’s been sitting in a box forever. I think school lunch could be improved by providing more variety so that students aren’t eating the same unhealthy meal everyday. Having variety also provides an option to have more veggies one day or a more filling meal” says Mallory Jackson(10).

The lack of variety isn’t just related to taste; it creates ‘food fatigue’ that discourages healthy eating. By transitioning to hot and freshly prepared meals, schools can include vegetables that are full of nutrients and support local agriculture. Therefore, ensuring that students receive the energy they need to stay focused throughout the entire school day.

The school provides food options such as nachos, pizza, hamburgers, cheeseburgers,etc. Some people love it, some hate it, believing it’s unhealthy and repetitive while others enjoy the convenience of having it to grab and go. According to a survey conducted by the Sentinel Sound, 43.4% of students prefer food from home and 34% of students prefer school food and 22% of students usually don’t eat lunch . Many students may feel the food options lack variety or creativity. They also tended to find the food products to be unhealthy and lacking nutrition. 

According to the “Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction”, “All foods sold on the school campus during the school day must meet standards for fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and sodium, and have whole grains, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables or protein foods as their main ingredient”. While student opinions should be taken into account, it is important to keep in mind that students feel that there is a lack of variety, school nutrition directors often deal with budget constraints and federal guidelines. 

Small changes could be made to address the demand for creativity without raising  the costs. An example of this could be an implementation of rotating salad bars. By adding locally sourced ingredients, the cafeteria food could shift from frozen processed items to fresh, hot meals that would satisfy the 43.4% of students (many of whom prefer food from home).

The convenience that surrounds our grab-and-go foods makes it easier for students with busy schedules, but the current reliance on pizza and nachos suggests that speed is prioritized over long-term nutritional value. “One study that assessed the amount of added sugars in school meals in 2014-2015 found that 92% of schools exceeded the limit recommendation (less than 10% of calories) in school breakfasts. The same study found that 67% of schools exceeded the limit recommendation in school lunches.. “.  The effects of added sugar on kids include “Added sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay in children, and high added sugar consumption in children is associated with excess weight gain, which increases the risk of being overweight or obese”.