The Milwaukee Public School district’s free lunch program continues to be a vital resource, offering dependable meals while navigating a range of expectations from students and staff alike, On one hand, many appreciate the effort to provide nutritious options and to respect dietary needs tied to health or religious practice. On the other, some students feel the menu can be inconsistent in quality or variety—though chicken tenders remain a student and staff favorite. 

Variety is always on the menu, however as options and dietary possibilities continue to become different in teen eyes, the general consensus is that students want less processed and more natural occurring foods, at least they say. 

At the end of the day, the program is free, widely used, and an essential service, and naturally there will always be differing opinions about school lunch. These interviews highlight the different opinions, regardless of dietary wants and needs the school continues to be open about options and the school lunch staff work hard to make sure students receive adequate breakfast and lunch.