Citing health factors, some Chicago schools have stopped allowing kids to bring lunches and some snacks from home unless they have medical orders that bar them from eating in the cafeteria.

The Chicago Tribune reports it’s up to each principal at Chicago public schools to determine the lunch policy.

A principal at a school with the no-brown bag policy says:

“Nutrition wise, it is better for the children to eat at the school. It’s about the nutrition and the excellent quality food that they are able to serve (in the lunchroom). It’s milk versus a Coke. But with allergies and any medical issue, of course, we would make an exception.”

Parents quoted in the story see benefits and drawbacks to the plan, with cynics noting that schools that force kids to eat at the cafeteria line the pockets of the school’s food provider. Kids whose families don’t qualify for subsidized meals have to cough up $2.25 a day for lunch. It doesn’t sound like much, but if a kid’s daily meal is a ham sandwich, some grapes and a juice box, sack lunches can cost parents pennies a day.

Those who are in favor of the lunch ban note that it gives the schools a chance to ensure kids eat nutritiously.

What do you think of the policy?

Chicago school bans some lunches brought from home [Chicago Tribune via Instapundit]

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