It’s the daily rush; the urgency of students to get into the cafeteria, eager to eat lunch. The sound of friends talking and people laughing fills the air. While some students grab their home-packed brown bag lunches, others wait in line for the school-prepared lunch. A student clutches his lunch tray as a thin layer of meat and cheese is placed onto a cold bun. Flavored milk and canned peas top off the inexpensive meal.

According to Maryland state nutritional standards, meals such as this fit the criteria perfectly. Standards, however, don’t measure taste; they only measure nutritional values. Some might argue that those in charge of determining what will be served at Frederick County schools are trading one for the other, which raises the question: is a meal nutritious if nobody eats it?

Posters of nutritional standards and delicious-looking foods are plastered across the cafeterias walls. However, many students and some faculty at Middletown High School question if the people creating the menu are eating what they serve.

The USDA, in charge of creating dietary guidelines for Americans, has specific weekly requirements that schools must meet when serving and creating lunches. The lunches must:

• contain no more than 30 percent of calories from fat;

• contain no more than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat; and

• provide one-third of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for calories, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Though accurate, some doctors and nutritionists argue that these guidelines barely meet the standards for a true healthy meal for children.

Cassandra Allison, in charge of ordering the food being served at FCPS, said she eats the school lunches regularly.

“The carrots are from Keeney Farm, and the apples are from Catoctin Mountain. They are both locally grown,” she said.

Students buying lunch are required to take one fruit and a carton of milk with their lunches. When the requirement was first implemented, many students were confused as to why they had to take them, but servers and workers say the confusion has lessened.

“I pack a lunch because it’s easier, and I don’t have to wait in lines,” said MHS junior Rachel Biggs.

The menus are made from the Food Nutrition Service Office, where fat content and nutritional facts are all taken into account when designing what students eat. Nutritional requirements are even taken to the vending machines, where only snacks under a specific amount of fat are allowed to be served.

Salt is also not served because of its high sodium content.  Food Services Assistant Supervisor James Cook said on the absence of pepper as a condiment, “It’s just a safety issue, kids used to throw it in others’ eyes,” he said.

While the supervisors and school lunch servers agree that the food is properly seasoned, nutritional, and delicious, students at Middletown High School have a different perspective.

MHS junior Emily Blick said, “When I think of school lunches, the first thing I think about is unknown meat.” Mary Pritts, also an MHS junior, says she often imagines the food cold.

“I don’t eat school lunches because I don’t think it’s good for you,” said junior Hattie Leighton.  

Junior Emma Brenegan agreed. “I don’t buy lunch because I have better tasting food at my house,” she said.

MHS lunch servers and workers said that they would like to see more participation in the school lunch system, but changing the negative attitude that many students have of school lunches may be difficult.

 Jamie Oliver, the host of the television show “Food Revolution,” is also an advocate for changing school lunches worldwide.

“Imagine a world where children were fed tasty and nutritious real food at schools from the ages of 4 through 18. A world where every child is educated about where their food comes from and how it affects their bodies,” says Oliver.

Flavored milk is also one of Oliver’s major issues, due to its high content of sugar. “In a 180 day school year, children who drink flavored milk on a daily basis intake 8 pounds of unnecessary sugar annually.”

Some MHS students believe that it’s time for change in school lunches.

“I don’t eat school lunches because I have heard a lot of gross things about them. I think the students should have more of a say for our school lunch menu,” said MHS senior, Stephanie Bidle.

 “As an athlete, I don’t think that the school lunches provide enough nutrition for what we need. They just don’t seem healthy,” added MHS junior Harrison Boyce.

With all the complaints about MHS school lunches, where do the students go from here?

Assistant Principal Mike Watson said, “If students are interested in changing our lunches, I would recommend becoming knowledgeable in the policies we have, and contact the Board of Education.”