District Faces Losing a Quarter of Lunch Customers Due to New Portion Regs

The Potsdam (NY) Central School District is seeing a decline of some 200 students per lunch period this year, a 25% reduction that translates to around a $100,000 loss for the year if continued, reports the Watertown Daily Times. The reason, according to local officials, is the reduced portions required by new federal school meal regulations. At the nearby Sackets Harbor Central School District, which has seen up to a 10% drop in lunch participation, an online Facebook petition posted by a pair of district parents has garnered over 2,000 signatures. Meanwhile, a survey of Sackets Harbor students soliciting input on what items they would like to see on the inch menu revealed a desire for pizza, chicken parttie, tacos, "real" pasta and bigger portions.