Children may choose to not eat instead of eat what is served, resulting in an increase in wasted school lunch food. Instead, children will go home and eat there. A survey by the National School Boards Association found that 83.7% of schools had an increase in wasted food due to the law. 76.5% of schools saw a reduction in participation by students.
Fixed menus leave no room for flexibility in choices. What you see is what you get. You are only allowed what is on the menu for that day, and only certain food options go with others.
81.8% of schools have had cost increases due to the law. With the increases in costs, money has to come from somewhere. Educational funding may be cut to help pay for the costs.
Parents know best what their children need to eat to be healthy. Not every child is the same. The government says that schools have to give every child the same amount of food. Active children need more, while inactive children do not need as much food.