The topic of students getting enough nutrients is disputed across many communities and boards. Since President Barack Obama, school lunches have become a large dispute in trying to find the right balance of nutrients and calories students need throughout the day.

Many questions arise when considering this topic. How many students eat the school lunch? What percent of students bring lunch to school? How many students don’t eat lunch at school at all? 

Senior Jeziel Gonzalez said, “I never eat the school lunches or lunch at all. I also skip breakfast.” This is the reality for a lot of the students at FVHS, and it is not healthy for our growing bodies.

Students aren’t getting enough vitamins or nutrients from the school lunches here. I don’t eat the school lunches here at all. One slice of pizza and an apple every day is not a sufficient and nutritious meal for any growing young adult.

At this point in our lives, we are still growing and maturing. Our body needs plenty of nutrients to get us through the day. Some students come to school without eating breakfast and only eat once lunchtime comes. 

Our bodies need the calories to wake up, function, and learn. Breakfast is offered in the mornings, but only a small portion of students eat breakfast here. This could be because they simply get here too late, or they aren’t hungry in the mornings.

Junior Oswaldo Mendez Guevara said, “I eat the school lunches almost every day.”

The calories consumed in a slice of pizza are only a small fraction of the calorie intake recommended for a young adult.

Junior Elaine Stuber said, “I pay for two servings of lunch almost every day to fill me up. It’s expensive, but if I’m hungry, I can’t focus.” Having to pay every day for enough food to fill yourself up and provide your body with enough food to function should not be the only option.

Senior Kayla Bradley said, “I only know two of my friends that eat the school lunch. I tried not eating meat for a while, but they don’t have many options for that.” This is another problem with the nutritional options provided at the school. 

What about the students who are vegan or vegetarian? These students don’t have many options other than maybe a salad, but the salads provided here also have chicken on them.

Students are not getting sufficient nutrients throughout their day. Students need calories and nutrients to grow, focus, and support healthy bodies and habits.