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Some CPS Students Tossing Out Healthy Lunch Items

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Students in Chicago's Public Schools are eating healthier – if they're eating what's served at school. But some lunchroom personnel say the children are not.

As WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts reports, CPS personnel serve 77,000 breakfasts and 289,000 lunches a day to students; 86 percent of students qualify for either free or reduced-price meals, based on family income.

The system has moved in the past two years to menus it believes to be healthier. But some veteran lunchroom personnel, such as Deanne Hillsman, say a lot of the food is ending up in the garbage can instead of children's stomachs.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts reports

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Hillsman said hummus is easily the least popular food at North Lawndale Prep High School, followed closely by turkey gyros that she says is today's equivalent of the "mystery meat" of old.

"It doesn't resemble a typical gyro that the children would eat," she said. "The color is off and it's not highly favorable among my children."

She cites another turkey-based dish – turkey nachos – as one of the most popular.

But the major point being made by Hillsman and her union, the Service Employees International Union, is that pre-packaged meals don't get nearly as warm a reception as hot meals.

The Service Employees union wants full kitchens installed in all schools and nutritional training for cooks.

A delegation of about 75 "lunch ladies," as they called themselves, briefly rallied outside of Chicago Public School headquarters Tuesday and tried to present a copy of a survey of lunchroom personnel conducted by the union to Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard.

Brizard was unavailable.

Some of the study's findings:

Of those surveyed, 75 percent reported not having any input on the new recipes and food. Only 42 percent of those surveyed believe students are eating the new food. Half surveyed rarely or never see school principals eating in the lunchroom. The survey found 73 percent of those surveyed believe food cooked in the schools is superior to frozen, pre-packed entrees that are warmed up and served. And 62 percent of those surveyed wanted more training about healthy food.

School board officials last year imposed new standards that require each lunch to contain whole grains, a different vegetable each day and lower amounts of salt. Only reduced-fat salad dressings and mayonnaise are offered as condiments.

The union said many newer schools lack full kitchens and only have facilities to reheat pre-packaged food.

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