The Becker High School website provides accurate information upon the lunch program. There is a separate breakfast and lunch meal pattern per age group (Grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12). This meal pattern includes the “correct” amount of fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and meat alternatives, milk, calories, saturated fat, sodium, and Trans fats needed per week. This particular pattern is “based on age-appropriate nutrition and physical activity habits of the average student.” However, not everyone seems to agree with this statement, considering every student has a different weight, body build, and activity level.

 

In order to revoke these disagreements, the Becker High School website also provides common arguments and counter-arguments.

 

The first argument proposed on the website page is, “You’re starving our kids!” The counter-argument states students will receive larger portions of fruits and vegetables, along with whole-grains. However, five out of the six students interviewed claim they do not care for the lunch, nor do they feel full afterward.

 

Therefore, all of those students often get Ale-Carte or bring a cold lunch instead. Austin Hill, a junior, says, “Even though we get an unlimited amount of fruit and veggies, the fruit choices are limited, and so is the amount on our trays. The main entrée does not feed kids as nearly as it should.” Austin, along with many other students, does not believe in “filling up” with only fruits and vegetables. “There are other forms of nutrition such as protein and healthy fats to help keep us full,” says senior, Caitlin Roemer.

 

The second argument on the high school website is, “The football players are not going to get the calories they need.” The counter-argument states, “A typical school lunch will provide about one-third of the daily nutrient needs of each student, which includes 24 key nutrients that children need for growth and development. If a student is physically active or participates in sports, he or she may need additional calories supplemented from another source.” On the other hand, 50 % of students interviewed have not felt encouraged to eat healthier at home, and the same percentage of students eat more, unhealthy, after-school snacks. For instance, a junior, Zach Woolhouse ate Doritos everyday after school. Other students, such as Rachael Tauer, sometimes baked cookies with her friends. Caitlin Roemer says she would “pig out” on Cheez-Its or sweets because she felt so hungry.

 

Each interviewed student provides their own recommendations for the school lunch program. Zach Woolhouse believes students should have a say in the menu selection, and possibly be able to eat out once a week. Brandon Schroefer, grade 10, would like steaks and pork chops for the main entrée. Speaking of entrées, Austin Hill would like to see the basic food choices, but larger portions. Other students, such as Rachael Tauer and Caitlin Roemer, have more thorough ideas. Tauer, for instance, would like to have “recommended portions visible for students, but be able to take our own portions, because teenage boys normally eat a lot more than teenage girls. At the same time, we are all growing, so we need the protein and energy to stay healthily balanced, especially those students involved in extracurricular sports and activities. Most of those students will just burn off those calories, and not have the nutrition they need.”

 

Roemer holds similar opinions, believing that it is not the school’s place to intervene. Public schools are full of growing students, athletes, and those who do not get a meal at home. She believes school lunch decisions should be based off of the student’s and the parent’s personal choice.