USDA, which also provides menu recommendations to schools, heavily subsidizes school lunch and breakfast programs but has not penalized schools that don't meet the standards. Schools have altered their menus and food preparation. Turkey and chicken are now mixed with beef to lower the fat content. Cafeteria workers skim fat from broth before making gravy. Schools offer a range of fresh fruit that are popular with kids, including strawberries, melons and even kiwis.
Kids choose what foods they know.
If they are eating a lot of pizza at home, they're going to choose pizza at school. Wis. Some schools are even offering students more candy and other snacks than they used to, the USDA report says. Such snack items have become a fund-raising tool for schools to pay for such things as band uniforms. The report also says secondary schools in particular need to improve the nutritional content of meals.