School District Dumps Federal Lunch Program Because It Wants To Keep Its Pizza

School District Dumps Federal Lunch Program Because It Wants To Keep Its Pizza
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The board of a suburban Chicago school district voted unanimously on Thursday to drop out of the National School Lunch Program because it claims being forced to stop serving popular but unhealthy lunch options like pizza and fries will cause the district to lose revenue.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the Township High School District 214 school district in Arlington Heights, Illinois, will forgo $900,000 in federal funding that subsidizes the school's free and reduced-price lunch program in order to continue to offer foods that would not be allowed under the federal Smart Snacks in School policy starting July 1.

The USDA's junk food-limiting Smart Snacks in Schools standards require that any food sold in schools, including in vending machines, either be a "whole grain-rich" grain product, be mainly comprised of fruit or vegetable, or list a protein food or dairy product as its first ingredient. Snacks may have no more than 200 calories and entrees may have no more than 350 calories, and fat, sodium and sugar limits have also been set. The policy is endorsed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

The Arlington Heights district doesn't believe healthier options that adhere to the new standards will be able to compete with cafeteria classics like pizza and the fast food available just off campus near school grounds.

"What we saw based on those menus is that students simply will not choose the food," Cathy Johnson, the district's associate superintendent, said of the decision, according to ABC Chicago.

The district said it will come up with their own healthy lunch menu options by working with their own nutritionist, the Tribune reports. The district will also still continue to offer free and reduced-priced meals to students who qualify, though it hasn't yet revealed exactly how it plans to do that with the loss of federal funding.

The Chicago-area district is not the first to abandon the federal lunch program. The board of the Waterford School District in southeastern Wisconsin also voted this year to drop the program citing concerns over losing revenue and a belief that "the federal government’s having too much influence or control in that area of school programming," the Racine Journal Times reported.

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Before You Go

After School Snacks To Keep Your Kids Happy And Healthy
Homemade trail mix(01 of07)
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A perennial classic! Mixing together your favourite (unsalted) nuts with dried fruit will provide a fantastic -- and surprisingly filling -- alternative to the usual potato chips. Portion out ¼ cup servings to grab and go when strapped for time! (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="10" data-vars-position-in-unit="19">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22773076@N08/3727221510" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="travis spencer" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22773076@N08/3727221510" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="11" data-vars-position-in-unit="20">travis spencer</a>)
Sliced veggies with guacamole or bean dipSalad with spicy bean dip(02 of07)
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How do you bring new life to your classic vegetables? By serving them with a healthier dip! Encourage your kids to snack on sliced veggies with a nutrient-rich dip like guacamole, salsa, hummus or another type of bean dip for a maximum nutritional punch. Pictured: Salad with spicy bean dip (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="8" data-vars-position-in-unit="17">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86828296@N06/9766921363" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="LanguageTeaching" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86828296@N06/9766921363" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="18">LanguageTeaching</a>)
Vegetable muffins(03 of07)
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If it’s tough getting your kids to eat their veggies, sneaking them into sweet treats is never a bad idea. Working healthy vegetables -- like carrots and zucchinis -- into your existing lower fat muffin recipe is a great way to marry sweet and healthy.Pictured: Zucchini Muffins (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="6" data-vars-position-in-unit="15">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22274381@N03/5121562075" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="mary_thompson" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22274381@N03/5121562075" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="7" data-vars-position-in-unit="16">mary_thompson</a>)
Yogurt popsicles(04 of07)
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Many store-bought ice pops are packed with sugar and calories -- so why not make your own nutrient-rich versions? Yogurt can be your secret nutritional weapon. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="13">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11172002@N05/4517969668" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="aMichiganMom" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11172002@N05/4517969668" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="14">aMichiganMom</a>)
Air-popped popcorn(05 of07)
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: If they’re craving a crunchy snack, serve up some air-popped popcorn. It will deliver a healthy dose of filling fibre to kill those after-school hunger pangs. Even better; two cups of popcorn has fewer calories and less fat than just a handful of regular potato chips. Now that’s a smart swap. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="11">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79272484@N04/9365344733" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="juliet_earth" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79272484@N04/9365344733" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3" data-vars-position-in-unit="12">juliet_earth</a>)
Apple slices with nut butter(06 of07)
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This is a go-to snack for a lot of parents, thanks to its one-two punch of fibre and protein in the apple and nut butter, respectively. If the kids are getting tired of this snack, try some creative presentation tricks. Put some toothpicks in the apple slices, dipping them in nut butter, and rolling them in chopped nuts for a fun treat. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="0" data-vars-position-in-unit="9">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44176993@N03/8466410432" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="anotherlunch.com" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9e10e6e4b03a1dcc90d131" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44176993@N03/8466410432" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="10">anotherlunch.com</a>)
Baked pita chips with homemade salsa(07 of07)
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Toast a whole-wheat pita, slice it up, and voila -- you’ve got tasty homemade pita chips. Store-bought salsas can be high in sugar and sodium, so try serving the chips with a homemade version. (credit:AP)

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