By Jena Olson
Last year, school districts throughout the country and right here in San Diego revamped their school lunch menus to comply with updated nutrition standards. The new USDA guidelines call for less salt and fat and more fruit and vegetables. And students are now required to pick out a nutritionally complete meal as they move through the cafeteria line.
Despite the changes, Crawford High School senior Alex says the school district could do better. She studied her school’s lunch offerings as part of The AjA Project’s Speak City Heights program at Crawford.
“The reason why I chose [this topic] is because I am lactose intolerant and I can’t drink milk that’s given at school,” Alex said. “I decided to do this topic because not all foods are good, but there are also foods that can be better.”
“School foods give many options of food, they all may have vegetables or chicken. But what about for vegetarians? We all don’t eat the same foods.” -Alex
“Public schools offer various choices of meals. Some healthy, some not so healthy. Are schools really limited to foods? Food is limited. They run out of the nutritious food and all that’s left is the nasty food. Food shouldn’t have to be limited.” -Alex
“In this photo you can see what people eat in lunch. Milk and Hot Cheetos. People tend to mix different foods together. But are they all healthy enough. Is the school food really giving what they claim ‘health foods.’ Do they really have vitamins and nutrients.” -Alex
“This photograph shows a much more closer image of a school plate offered at Crawford. It’s a detailed shot showing the colors and textures of a ‘nutritious’ meal. More healthier meals should be offered at school such as these.” -Alex
“Many options are offered here in school, but I think that more options should be offered in order for us to grow more healthier and better. These photos show some of the good options.” -Alex
When asked about solutions, Alex said she “would go to the school board and demand a new school lunch menu with healthier options.”
The school district asks students to participate in taste tests, focus groups and surveys before it approves new menus.