School lunch programs receive more than their fair share of criticism and not nearly enough credit. Millions of kids rely on school meal programs for breakfast, lunch, and take-home snacks every day, including after the bell rings. It’s no mean feat, but there are several ways to improve school lunches through smarter, local sourcing.
Once you understand the scale of the National School Lunch Program, it’s easy to see how the majority of meals are heavily processed.
How Do School Lunch Programs Work?
The majority of K-12 schools in the US follow the US National School Lunch Program, which reimburses schools for a certain amount of money for every meal they serve. The program does have strict calorie and budget requirements, and the amount reimbursed varies depending on the meal’s price: free, reduced-price, or full-price.
Additionally, the foods served must have no trans fat and stay within the approved caloric range based on student age:
- Calorie requirements per lunch vary by grade:
- Kindergarten through fifth-grade students get 550-650 calories
- Sixth through eighth-grade students get 600-700 calories
- Ninth through 12th-grade students get 750-850 calories
Are School Lunches Healthy?
They’re certainly better than they used to be. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 ushered in broad reforms, improving school lunch nutrition and setting policy for lunch, breakfast, and summer food services. Nearly a decade later, a USDA study found that the average nutritional quality score of school lunches improved from 58 to 81, and food waste hasn’t significantly increased. They also found that school lunch participation is higher at schools with better meal options.
Where Schools Get Their Food
Public and private schools work with dedicated school lunch companies to source all their food offerings.
- About 80% of school food comes from commercial school food vendors like Sysco, US Foods, or Gordon Food Service; the same companies that serve many restaurants and higher-ed food service cafeterias.
- Some schools also receive funding for (and sometimes direct shipment of) bulk commodities sourced from US farmers, including beef, cheese, and canned fruit.
- Programs like 10 Cents a Meal, the North Ed Farm to School program, and other regional farm-to-school programs supplement commercial school lunch suppliers with fresh, local produce.
Bringing It All to the Table
While you’ll see plenty of statistics about unhealthy school lunches, it’s important to remember the scale on which school districts operate.
- In 2024, the National School Lunch Program served over 4.8 billion lunches, with a total cost of $17.7 billion.
- The NSLP serves nearly 30 million students every school day, and more than 72% of lunches are free or at a reduced price.
It’s easy to say schools should have better lunches, but this is challenging to accomplish without viable, local producers in the community.
Three Ways to Improve School Lunches
Serving healthier, more nutritious lunches is possible, and these three efforts could make it possible.
- Focus on Whole Foods: Prioritize in-house cooking and whole ingredients over ultra-processed items. This allows staff to take control over nutrition, reduce sodium, and be more selective in choosing ingredients. s.
- Support Local: Sourcing from local and regional farms through the USDA Farm to School Program and similar efforts supports a more vibrant local economy and brings fresh fruit and vegetables directly to students.
- Change Timing: Studies show that scheduling recess for lower elementary school students before lunch reduces food waste and helps guide kids toward healthier lunch choices.
Of course, schools also need to invest in staff training, kitchen infrastructure, and other upgrades to make it all work, and that requires community buy-in. It’s not easy for busy parents to ask questions and push for change, but steady, consistent communication can make a real difference.
Committed to Kids, Committed to Local Foods
Oryana Community Co-op is dedicated to supporting a thriving local agricultural economy capable of serving our customers and our kids. We prioritize local farmers and vendors, offer a microloan program in collaboration with Crosshatch, and follow strict buying standards to give our owners confidence.
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