Central Indiana schools say no to restaurant food in cafeterias

Sept. 26—For some schools, it’s been a decade-long policy. For others, a recent push.

But just almost every school district in Central Indiana is saying no to bringing food from restaurants into their cafeterias.

With recent federal school lunch regulations now firmly in place, student’s trays are filled with more greens than ever. That makes it even harder when another student brings in french fries and a burger from a local fast food restaurant.

Food service directors from school across Indiana are calling the problem a huge distraction, especially for elementary students.

All of a sudden, a calm lunch period is turned into a dissatisfying experience when less nutritious and good-smelling food enters the cafeteria, says Greenwood Food Service Director Cheryl Hargis.

“It makes them want that and lots of times a child will just won't eat themselves, so jealousy gets in the factor of it,” said Hargis.