In a major report released Wednesday, the Food Research and Action Center said multiple factors including higher prices have led to a decline in the participation in the National School Lunch program by middle-class students who pay the highest prices.

The School Nutrition Association, which represents the school food service directors and the companies that make the school foods, has blamed the healthier meals rules and asked Congress for changes to them, but FRAC noted that the decline in participation began before the healthier school meals were implemented.

Lower incomes, higher school meal charges for fully paid lunches to avoid “cross subsidization” among free, reduced and fully regular prices, and the availability of other foods in the competitive school food lines led to the declines in participation, FRAC concluded.

“If policymakers want to respond to participation trends in school meals, it is imperative that they look at the larger picture,” FRAC President Jim Weill said in a news release.

He noted that more children have become eligible for free or reduced-price meals. FRAC recommended that policymakers re-examine the rules that raised prices for middle-class children and ensure implementation of the Smart Snacks rule, which will reduce the availability of less healthy food options in the schools.

FRAC did not recommend pulling back on the healthier meals standards.

▪ Food Research and Action Center — National School Lunch Program: Trends and Factors Affecting Student Participation