Most of the school lunches are not prepared by the school cafeteria staff. Most lunches are prepared and delivered by caterers under crony-capital friend/relative type sole source contracts. They are delivered in hot tubs or trays that can be microwaved at the site. Generally, the cafeteria staff only microwaves and serves the crap. The best bet for all school systems would be to drop the Dept of Ag school lunch program completely. For a few cents more they could cut the paperwork, sole source contracts and headaches and provide decent lunches that are actually eaten. Many schools are finally realizing this. Additionally, subsidized or free lunches should mandate proof of need or else you pay or supply your own lunch.
But I thought the kids ate free meals at school in order to make it easier for the parent/guardian to sell their food stamps.