There were reportedly next to no lines for lunch at the Parsippany Hills High School in New Jersey today. That's because an estimated 1,000 students were boycotting government-mandated lunch portions, joining a growing chorus of opposition of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. "This year you’re eating lunch and you’re like 'Did I even eat?'" one school senior told CBS. "You’re not even full."
The kids in Parsippany Hills are hardly alone in being upset about the guidelines, which offer less food for more money. For example, this video spoofing fun.'s "We Are Young" that recently came out of Kansas has helped the movement:
Not every school has been hurt by the new guidelines, only schools that participate in the USDA's National School Lunch Program — schools where more than 5 percent of the community is in need — are obliged to make changes. But enough of those schools exist to make this a serious issue for kids, especially as the change has come along with increased prices. And food providers are quite aware of it:
Mark Vidovich, president of Pomptonian, the [New Jersey] district’s food provider, says the average sandwich at Parsippany Hills has been reduced in size by 33 percent and now costs $2.60 instead of $2.50.
"The maximum protein intake was set at 2.5 oz. per day and 2.4 oz. of grains per day. Historically a sandwich would have been 3.5 oz. protein and 3.5 oz. grain. So it is significantly smaller."
Providers point out that they really can't change anything and that hungry students need to reach out to the USDA or their local senators and representatives if they want to see change. Meanwhile, the New Jersey kids are planning on keeping at it. Students there are promising to not eat again on Monday and hope that other students in other schools join them. Finally, a way to solve America's obesity epidemic!
