I've always been curious about school lunches. Are they actually good for our children? Are there any side effects?

Side effects? I'm not sure about side effects but a school lunch program by law in the US must satisfy all of the food groups:milk, starch, meat, fruit, veggie. Normally done through the serving of an entree, a choice of veggie, a "dessert" such as a fruit cup, a roll or biscuit and a choice of milk. They are also supposed to be relatively low in fat and other bad stuff, but this has changed alot as time goes by.

I always felt it encouraged picky eaters who didn't like the "mystery meat" or don't drink milk or are vegetarian. Most schools also offer "a la carte" options where they can purchase only a sandwich or a slice of pizza instead of a whole meal. One of the largest benefits of school lunch is the free/reduced lunch program which allows families who have a low income to get a school lunch either free or for a fraction of the normal cost so that all children can eat a good lunch.

Well do the regulate the food very well. I see all these resturaunts with health code violations, are they doing the same for our school cafeterias?