Back in ancient times when I was a kid, if you didn’t have money you didn’t even get in line at the cafeteria. You brought a brown bag from home and ate outside.
I think it’s the whole “lunch account” thing that opens up the door. I can only assume they don’t want the kids carrying cash for some stupid reason. Probably because the scholar at the cafeteria register would have to make change. And the notices were sent home with the kids! How many of those do you think actually made their way to an adult?