Because the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) requires participating schools to provide wholesome meals for all students, what do administrators do about students who do not bring their own lunches or money for a school prepared lunch?  They raise prices for students that can pay, according to research by the School Nutrition Organization.

The problem lies within families that are unaware that their students may qualify for free or reduced student lunches, which if enrolled would increase the government’s contribution for those students at each school.  If students indeed do not qualify, they simply must pay or bring their own lunches to school.

The problem for many districts comes at a time when federal regulations are set to increase the mandatory level of nutrition in school lunches.  This has caused some schools to scramble for higher quality and more nutritious options that cost more money.  Paired with many students that cannot afford school lunches, schools are finding themselves shorthanded.

Has your school been encountering these problems in the cafeteria?  How do you think administrators can better spread the word about free or reduced priced lunches without stigmatizing students and their families?