District 214 selling more lunches without national program

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 officials said the district's first year of not being a member of the National School Lunch program is going well and has resulted in an increase in student-bought meals.

Superintendent David Schuler updated the school board on the progress of the school lunch program at Thursday night's meeting after the board voted earlier this year to leave the national program and bypass hundreds of thousands of dollars in subsidies due to what officials said were too strict rules on what could be served at school activities, as well as in cafeterias and vending machines.

"Our average meal participation has increase by 20 percent or 400 meals from last year," Schuler said.

Without the national program, the district has worked with students via recipe contests and culinary arts classes to help come up with healthy and attractive lunch options, Schuler said.

The loss in federal revenue is being made up for in the budget with more students buying lunches and tightening corners in other areas, officials said. Schuler said so far the department is near budget and covering its expenses.

"We are seeing more excitement around our cafeterias," Schuler said.