A scoop of refried beans is going viral on the Internet — thanks to students complaining about school lunches.
Several students are sharing their frustrations on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #ThanksMichelleObama. The messages appear to be a jab at the First’s Lady’s support to the Health and Hunger Free Kids Act, which has created health standards for schools.
“In different areas in the country, and even different areas in the city, there’s going to be different preferences,” said David Paul Director of Nutrition Services for Wichita Public Schools.
Paul said he heard about the social-media sensation during the weekend. He said it’s not unusual for school lunches to be criticized. The district serves 50,000 meals a day. The federal guidelines make it a challenge to meet what’s required, but he said it’s not impossible. Ultimately, the district decides what shows up on lunch plates with the guidance of the rules.
In January, a team of two nutritionists and other staff in the district help set the menu for the upcoming school year. They factor in popular food items, foods that are in season and student opinion into the final decision.
“I visit schools very regularly and I see a lot of clean plates, so I think we’re doing some things very well,” Paul said. “Certainly, there’s always room for improvement.”
Derby school supervisor Martha Lawson said schools are required to feed students fruit, vegetables, grain, meat and milk. There are specific portion requirements, types of foods and calorie limits for different age groups.
However, Lawson said some of the pictures shared online are skewed. For example, high school students are only required to take a fruit or vegetable at each meal. One picture shares a dinner roll, piece of fruit and a milk for a student’s meal. Lawson said the student, who is high school aged, is not eating all the food options available.
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