The wealthy Fort Thomas school district in Northern Kentucky is dropping out of the federal school-lunch program because "Kids didn't like their healthful lunches," Jessica Brown reports for The Cincinnati Enquirer.
"The 2,800-student district joins a small but growing number of school districts across the country – mostly wealthy districts who can afford to forfeit the money – who have dropped out of the federal program in the wake of stricter nutritional standards," Brown writes. "Schools said students don't like the unsalted potatoes, low-fat cheese or the mandatory fruits and vegetables. They throw food away or decide not to eat at all."
Forsaking federal funding will cost the district an estimated $260,000 a year, Brown reports. "Children who get free or reduced-price lunches – about 17 percent of the student body – will still get them at that price." (Read more)
UPDATE, Aug. 25: About 150 school districts nationwide have withdrawn from the federal program, Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports.
"The 2,800-student district joins a small but growing number of school districts across the country – mostly wealthy districts who can afford to forfeit the money – who have dropped out of the federal program in the wake of stricter nutritional standards," Brown writes. "Schools said students don't like the unsalted potatoes, low-fat cheese or the mandatory fruits and vegetables. They throw food away or decide not to eat at all."
Forsaking federal funding will cost the district an estimated $260,000 a year, Brown reports. "Children who get free or reduced-price lunches – about 17 percent of the student body – will still get them at that price." (Read more)
UPDATE, Aug. 25: About 150 school districts nationwide have withdrawn from the federal program, Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports.
