I believe that if a child is forced to complete a task, they cannot decide for themselves and pick up those healthy habits in the end. At the end of the period, they would throw it out because they didn’t even want it in the first place. I do think it is better for students to “discover what they love to eat” instead of adults at their school “telling them what they should eat.” When I was in elementary school, I would see my friends grab an apple or some type of vegetable because it was mandatory. Ryan Boaz, Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC The challenge is to make healthy food seem appealing to the junk food-filled mind of a teenager. I agree that there needs to be more fruit and vegetables, but the problem is we are dealing with teenagers who couldn’t care less about eating healthy. An option of a salad bar would be fantastic, with options being available to those who happen to be vegan or vegetarian. Even though the whole system might not be able to adapt, that isn’t to say change is impossible. However, the problem with vegans and vegetarians is that unfortunately they make up a tiny population of people who eat lunch, and I would see a challenge for an entire system to adapt to the minority. Having too much of anything is no good, which is why I would personally like to see this implemented in my school.ĭiversity would be great in school lunches, like more ethnic food that has a strong foothold in the American cuisine. Now, instead of giving diverse options that nobody liked, the lunch ladies would serve the “fan favorite” meals every day. I noticed that the main dishes were mostly the same. My high school upgraded its salad bar and deli options sometime around last year. I do think that a survey would work as long as students are advised to provide recommendations within the standards of a balanced diet. More diverse optionsĪlthough I can attest to how picky some of my peers may be, I believe that some schools do not provide meal plans that reflect the culture and tastes of students. Many shared suggestions for improving the quality of the food offered, as well as ideas for minimizing the amount of waste. We asked students to tell us what they thought about FoodCorps, the lunches at their school and their cafeteria experience overall. In “ What if Children Ran the School Lunchroom?” Anahad O’Connor reported on FoodCorps, a nonprofit organization that connects children to healthy food in schools.

Emoji lunch box notes