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Several districts opt out of federal school lunch program

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    Rick Leventhal reports from New York

  • Duration 2:11
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Right there will be no going back for second several school districts now backing out of the federal free school lunch program.

Saying that the rules which require more fruits and for -- calories -- Fewer calories are costing them money in the kids don't like the food anyway Rick Leventhal is with us now the biggest complaints about these guidelines -- Well bill opponents say the portions are too small like one slice of deli meat on a sandwich half a slice of pizza.

And they're forced to serve food to kids that they just don't like -- won't -- so students are bringing their own.

Or buying elsewhere food is wasted in many schools say their budgets are being blown.

The federal guidelines requiring larger portions of fruits and vegetables and less junk.

Are part of -- Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 aimed at reducing childhood obesity.

-- -- New York with the first district in this state to opt out.

But -- -- have a childhood obesity problem locally and actually we do -- locally we don't our kids are very active but I was worried that.

With the changes they may very well go home -- -- the -- bad data chips because they're hungry if it.

When they get home for school so I rather have them you know have an opportunity having a good hearty lunch -- shots.

Snyder says they're still serving healthy food to finding more creative -- prepared while giving kids more what they want.

-- -- Bill but many schools can't afford to opt out and they were well you know districts with high poverty level rely on federal subsidies to pay for the kids launches and the more students getting free or subsidized meals -- less likely district can afford to opt out.

So far the vast majority of schools continue to follow the federal food guidelines and the US Department of Agriculture.

Which runs the program released this statement about the controversy saying quote.

USDA continues to provide additional flexibility and technical assistance to schools as they strive to.

Offer healthier meals to our nation's children USDA encourages the few eligible school districts that have chosen not to participate in the national school lunch program.

To take steps to insure all children will still have access to healthy.

Affordable meals during the school day.

By the way under the federal guidelines there are no peanut butter and jelly sandwiches -- room peanut allergies.

Possibly that's one reason being the -- probably a problem to -- and then you're.

Rick Leventhal here.

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