[msravi]

Do different kids get different meals in US schools? I mean for non-medical or dietary purposes? The article doesn't seem to be very clear on that... Is it that when the school's debt gets to a certain point, all kids' meals are replaced by "alternative meals"? Or do some kids' meals only get switched? If so what is the deciding criterion?

[stephencanon]

Varies enormously between states and school districts.

In our public elementary school, there are two or three options each day: a hot meal of some sort, some days a hot vegetarian meal, and a salad bar that kids can choose what they want from (which usually includes some options that you wouldn't call "salad").

It's not fine dining, but the quality and variety is generally pretty decent. The kids have accounts, and parents are expected to refill a negative balance, but every kid gets the lunch of their choice regardless.

[maxlybbert]

I believe the current rules ( https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp ) require the schools to make some effort to avoid certain allergens.

When my children were in school, their school said that anybody who didn’t have lunch would be given a “sun butter” sandwich and food from the cafeteria. I wasn’t familiar with sun butter; it’s peanut butter made from sunflower seeds, because people allergic to peanuts may not be allergic to sunflower seeds.

[mbfg]

Only kids who can't afford the "regular" meals get switched to alternative meals.

[trelane]

Only in some places. In others (like ours) they can keep buying lunch when they've a debt. The kid just can't buy side items (junk food like cookies, ice cream, chips, soda)

This is not a universal.

[neolefty]

> When the school's debt ...

It's not the school's debt, it's individual families. If they fall behind on lunch fees, their children have to eat cold meals.

> Do different kids get different meals in US schools? I mean for non-medical or dietary purposes?

Depends. US schools are run by the states, so it varies from place to place. As other commenters have said, some states just fund lunch so debt isn't an issue. I'm sure some accommodate dietary requirements & preferences more than others.

My experience was that if you have specific requirements that the school can't meet, you just bring your own lunch. If you're lucky enough to have organized parents.

[infecto]

I can remember at least in High School that usually happens. None of it is healthy or good but you are allowed choice.