When I read the first paragraph, my immediate question is, is the PB&J alternative meal actually healthier and more reflective of the nutritional needs (and desires ) of a student than the more expensive normal meals (my thoughts turn to chicken tenders, pizza, corn dogs)
I personally reflect back to realize that I started requesting parents / personally making sandwiches ~3rd grade because I was tired of flavorless and relatively unhealthy and repeated cafeteria style food at high price. (and also coming to a similar conclusion regarding the Cafeteria when at University).
"Cafeteria style" doesn't have to mean chicken tenders and pizza.
Today at work in Denmark, the cafeteria served vegetable stroganoff with mushrooms and roast potatoes, chili con carne with rice, and/or turkey with mushroom sauce, pearl barley and roast root vegetables.
The salads were a potato salad with red onions, chives, mustard and radish; pearl barley with apricot, soya beans and peppers; lentils, beetroot and feta cheese.
I personally reflect back to realize that I started requesting parents / personally making sandwiches ~3rd grade because I was tired of flavorless and relatively unhealthy and repeated cafeteria style food at high price. (and also coming to a similar conclusion regarding the Cafeteria when at University).