Dive Brief:

• A new report from the Harvard School of Public Health finds as much as 75% of vegetables and 40% of fruit being served in school cafeteria lunches is being thrown in the trash.  
• The study indicates a disconnect between policies requiring schools to serve healthier lunches and students being educated on healthy eating habits.  
• Supporters of the food requirements say the amount of food in the trash is no higher than it was in the past and that students are eating more fruits and veggies overall than they were before the 2012 requirements. Opponents, who believe schools should be allowed to opt out, see only the massive amounts of expensive food being wasted.  

Dive Insight:

While arguments on both side are legitimate, a student's lack of knowledge about why healthy foods are important ultimately shouldn't dictate what is served in school cafeterias. If it were up to most kids, they would eat chips and drink soda for lunch every day.

The amount of healthy foods in the trash indicate a need for food education more than anything else — and, ultimately, that lesson is beneficial regardless of nutritional requirements. In the Houston Independent School District, for example, "Veggie Fest" gives students a chance to experiment and test vegetables and fruits from around the world, including edamame and Asian pears.

"Food Services recognizes that it's not enough to put healthy food on the tray. Kids have to know what these foods are, and why they're good for them, so that they can enjoy them," said Jennifer Lengyel, a nutrition educator and dietitian for HISD, who helps coordinate Veggie Fest.