Yesterday could have been Italian, with spaghetti and meatballs. Today might be Mexican, with enchiladas and tacos. Another line has fresh-baked pizzas and pasta salads. A third line specializes in diner food, with chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and chicken nuggets the big sellers. The fourth line is a bakery, where students can buy, get this, kolaches and doughnuts.
Every meal contains a protein, a vegetable, bread, fresh fruit and dairy items.
The school lunch program has gotten smart. Not only do they keep the calories from fat under 30 percent, they watch the garbage cans to see what students are tossing away. Nutritious food isn't good for anybody if nobody's eating it. Students are hip about food these days. They've been bombarded since birth by TV commercials for McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken.