1M kids stop school lunch due to Michelle Obama’s food standards -- By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The federal government's changes to school lunch menus have been disastrous, causing problems for cafeterias trying to comply with the rules and leaving the menu so expensive or unpalatable that more than 1 million students have stopped buying lunch, according to a government audit released Thursday.

One school district told federal investigators that it had to add unhealthy pudding and potato chips to its menu to meet the government's minimum calorie requirements. Other school districts removed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from their elementary school menus.

Five of the eight school districts surveyed by the Government Accountability Office, the official watchdog for Congress, said they believed students were going hungry because of smaller entree portions demanded by the rules.

Cafeterias regularly reported finding fruits and vegetables, which they are required to serve, ending up in trash cans. Although no studies have been completed, the government has found an increase in what it calls plate waste in some districts.

Despite the hiccups, school food authorities said they generally support the nutritional changes and think the menus are moving in the right direction.

"Although school lunch participation has declined, it is likely that participation will improve over time as students adjust to the lunch changes," GAO investigators said.

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