The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act has challenged the kitchen staff to produce meals that comply with the bill yet are still enjoyable to students.

The act allowed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make significant and mandated changes to the school lunch program for the first time in over 30 years. The bill was passed on December 13, 2010 and reauthorized lunch funding and nutritional values required for food items.

“Nutrition wise, we have much more criteria to meet. The new bill is so specific that we have to provide certain vegetables with weekly meals based on their color,” cook Betsy Swallow said.

Significant changes included wheat flour replacing white flour, only low or no sugar drinks, and only baked or low fat chips being offered.

While many students were apprehensive about the changes at first, most have become accustomed to the menu.

“It has taken a while for students to accept the menu changes. I would describe the troubles as ‘growing pains,’” baker Leslie Foley said.

The bill requires school districts to be audited every three years in order to ensure that they have met the nutrition standards set by the USDA.

“It [The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act] has given us the ability to provide healthier options at a higher cost. We have much more variety in the menu which has been a beneficial effect of the bill,” Swallow said.   

Although the bill was passed with the intention of reinvigorating school lunch programs, it was met with backlash from some students and parents who felt as though lunches are not filling enough.

“I often have to buy two or three lunches to be full. I’ve noticed the portions have gotten smaller since freshman year,” senior Joseph Wallace said.

Along with portion size, students have also complained about being required to eat wheat bread.

“I would like the option to choose what kind of bread my pizza or sandwich was on. I don’t think students should only be given one option for their meals. Chicken patties taste much better on white bread,” senior Jacob Maddox said.

Due to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act schools must meet minimum nutritional standards in order to continue receiving federal funds. According to custodian Joao Souzã, this has led to an increase in waste as more students have thrown away more uneaten food, especially vegetables.

“Depending on the meal I have seen more uneaten food in the trash. More vegetables end up in the trash than anything,” Souzã said.