The controversy over cafeteria food is whether or not it is healthy for all students from elementary schools to colleges. Numerous factors lead to unhealthy eating in schools and on campuses. Sometimes options with better nutrition are offered, but when there are they tend to be less appealing than the unhealthy foods (Obesity). Many schools are undergoing budget cuts and changes, and healthy food tends to take a back burner when deciding where the limited amounts of money should go (Gupta). Unfortunately, when schools do have healthy ingredients, the food is usually prepared in a method that is unhealthy, because it is cheaper to cook it in that way (Ardis). Schools do not want to spend the extra money to get healthier choices for their students. In a recent survey, taste, cost, and convenience were the top factors in why students chose to eat the food that they did (Obesity). None of these factors generally lead to healthy food.
http://caffoodmsueats.weebly.com/issues--problems.html
School Lunches Linked to Obesity and Poor Nutrition
Alarmed by childhood obesity statistics and the prevalence of unhealthy foods offered to students in schools, the Center for Food and Justice (CFJ) in 2000 spearheaded the national Farm to School lunch program. The program connects schools with local farms to provide healthy cafeteria food while also supporting local farmers. Participating schools not only obtain food locally, they incorporate nutrition-based curriculum and provide students with learning opportunities through visits to the local farms.
http://environment.about.com/od/healthandchildren/a/cafeteria_food.htm
High school students boycott school cafeteria over new lunch restrictions
With new federal guidelines dictating what is served at school cafeterias during lunch time, school districts all over the country have reworked their menus to accommodate the new rules. The changes include serving more whole