District 214 votes to leave National School Lunch Program

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) -- District 214's school board voted Thursday night to drop out of the National School Lunch Program. The north suburban district includes eight communities: Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Elk Grove Village, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Mount Prospect and Des Plaines.

In a unanimous vote, the six high schools of the district are now out of federal free lunch program -- and so goes the money that comes with it.

With that vote, the school board of Township High School District 214 dropped out of the National School Lunch Program.

"What we saw based on those menus is that students simply will not choose the food," said Cathy Johnson, Associate Superintendent.

Now out of the program, the district won't get a $900,000 federal subsidy covering the costs of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Administrators say a new menu with popular food options will bring in the money to offset costs.

"We feel that by increasing student participation in the cafeteria will be able to cover those students that get free and reduced lunch," said Bill Dussling, school board president.

Schools that remain in program will have to follow USDA guidelines regulating any food sold, including what's in snack machines.

Among the guidelines, food items have to contain fewer than 200 calories with zero grams of trans fat. No more than 230 milligrams of sodium, and either have to be "whole grain-rich" or primarily made of fruits or vegetables.

"If we want our kids to learn healthy habits there's no question it starts in the home. But we want that message to be replicated and strengthened in our schools," said Mark Bishop, Healthy Schools Campaign.

Students at John Hersey High School confirmed that they would go elsewhere to eat if the district supported the National School Lunch Program and the new Smart Snack Rules that go into effect July 31.

"If they want to eat more junk food, that's okay with me, but personally I think we should just keep what we have," said Jordan Slonke, a student.

"I think that students should be able to choose what they eat for lunch and not have to be told by the government what to eat," said Amanda Bisceglie, a student.

First Lady Michelle Obama is big proponent of these new healthy food guidelines. Most schools here in Illinois and across the nation will have to follow those guidelines at the beginning of the next school year.