School lunches are a need for much of the student population. From preschool to high school, school lunch is necessary for a student’s well being and ability to learn. This is why it is crucial that schools provide the best meals possible.
Popular media has stigmatized school lunches, from cartoons to TikTok videos, American school lunches are known for being unappetizing and unhealthy. Food such as the infamous “mystery meat” described on TV shows and other nutritionally questionable items are a common topic of humour and relatability on many platforms. However, many individuals do not stop to consider how this may be an issue.
A statistic from the School Nutrition Association shows an alarming fact that brings to attention why school lunches are so valuable. “Nearly one in five children in America live in households without consistent access to adequate food.”
Millions of children throughout America rely on school food as it is their only consistent food source. If school lunches are such a crucial resource for students across the nation, it needs to be high quality and accessible.
With so many kids depending on this food, it needs to be nutritional and filling. Schools in the US are required to provide food based on MyPlate, a requirement set by the USDA guidelines. These are guidelines that Mount Vernon Public Schools cafeterias use, as they follow the state and federal nutritional guidelines.
However, even with these policies set in place, many schools in the nation do not properly uphold these guidelines and that is where the claim of mystery meat stems from. This is often caused by a lack of proper funding or careless regard. Either way, it is a well-known issue in the United States that should not be well-known.
Considering how this is a consistent issue and a well-known one at that, there is change that needs to occur. How this may be solved is the most difficult part. One way could be from the involvement of family members, churches or businesses. However, the most impactful way would be enforcement and recognition by leaders.
