Problem+(G)

In the Thompson Public School system the school lunch program attains most of their food from the government and the lowest bidding companies. Because of this, the price of school lunch is relatively cheap, at $2.50 for a full reimbursable lunch. Though these lunches are cheap, there is still a problem. Because the school buys their food from the lowest bidding seller or receives it from the government, the quality of the food is often poor. The lunch program meets the USDA requirements of a reimbursable school lunch; however it only meets it according to the minimum, meaning it is the least healthy. At this point in time, the new food manager for the next school year is also looking to make changes within the school lunch system to improve upon this problem. She would like to improve the quality of some of the foods we serve, order from some new companies, and make the lunches healthier by not going by the //minimum// health serving standards, as well as initiate some kind of salad bar.

We released a student survey on the quality of the school’s lunch. Students were asked to rate school lunch on a scale from 1 to 5. The majority of students asked rated lunch at 2. The rating of three came in second, followed closely by a rating of 1 in last. No student rated the quality of school lunch over a 3. Students were also asked if they would buy lunch more often if the quality of the lunch was improved. 89% of students replied that they would buy lunch more often if it were of better quality. People opposing better quality school lunch may include tax payers if taxes were to be raised to handle this problem. The quality of school lunches affects both students and teachers who buy lunch, and even the parents of students who have to pay for this low quality lunch for their children to consume. The public policy on the quality of our school ﻿lunches is currently inadequate as we follow the minimum guidelines of nutrition and the food bought is of low quality. This issue needs to be taken up by the Board of Education to discuss ways that the school lunch program can be revised to include better quality foods while keeping the lunch program budget relatively low.









**61%** of students surveyed dislike the school's chicken patties. ** The surveys above show that the students of Tourtellotte Memorial High School do not favor the quality of the school lunches. 89% of students said they would buy lunch if the quality of the food was improved. With more students buying lunches, the school will make more money off the lunch program. Students would also be eating healthier lunches everyday which will make for improved lifestyles of the Tourtellotte students. **
 * 82%** of students surveyed dislike the school's plain cheese pizza.
 * 78%** of students surveyed dislike the turkey and gravy meal.
 * 65%** of students surveyed dislike the school's plain hamburger.
 * 49%** of students surveyed dislike the school's mozzarella sticks.