As a high school student attending a school within the DC Public Schools (DCPS) system, I have firsthand experience of the impact that inadequate and unappealing school lunches have on us every day. These meals are supposed to provide us with the nourishment we need to focus, learn, and grow, yet many of us find ourselves hungry, unsatisfied, and unable to concentrate because of the quality of food offered. We are calling on the DCPS to improve the quality, safety, and consistency of school lunches across all schools. Students are required by government to be in school for long hours, so I strongly believe appetizing lunches should be bare minimum.

According to a report by the Healthy Schools Campaign, nutritious meals are critical in providing students with the energy they need to tackle their schoolwork. However, the meals provided in many DCPS schools are often far from nutritious or appetizing. Students report soggy, tasteless food that often lacks fresh fruit, vegetables, or whole grains, essential components of a balanced diet.

Key issues students are experiencing:

1. Food waste is extremely high
   Large amounts of school lunch food are thrown away uneaten every day. This suggests a mismatch between what is served and what students actually eat.
2. Low-quality produce
   Fruits are often underripe, bruised, or unappealing, and vegetables are frequently soggy or unseasoned.
3. Bland / low-quality flavor
   Meals are often described as repetitive or lacking flavor, reducing student willingness to eat them
4. Limited real choice
   Students are frequently given very few meaningful meal options and must accept whatever is available.

5. Poor presentation / unappealing appearance
   Food often looks unappetizing, which discourages students from eating it even when it is technically nutritious.

6. Expired or unsafe food being served
   Students have reported instances of food items being past their expiration date or showing signs of spoilage, raising concerns about food safety and oversight.

"Well what we are asking DCPS to do?" We are calling for improvements that include:

1. Strict enforcement of expiration-date checks and food safety procedures before serving meals
2. Better tracking and reduction of food waste, including reviewing what students actually consume
3. Improved sourcing and freshness standards for fruits and vegetables
4. Enhanced seasoning, preparation methods, and recipe quality to improve taste
5. More daily meal options so students have meaningful choice
6. Higher standards for food presentation so meals are visually appealing
   
   Why this matters:

Students rely on school meals every day. When food is wasted, unappetizing, or inconsistently handled, it affects not only student satisfaction but also participation, focus, and trust in the school system.

We believe every student deserves access to meals that are safe, fresh, and genuinely acceptable to eat—not just nutritionally sufficient on paper. Many students rely on school meals as a primary source of daily nutrition, especially for those who may not have consistent access to food at home. Because of this, it is important that school-provided meals meet consistent standards of quality, safety, and acceptability for all students.

Now is the time for DCPS to make a change, ensuring that all students have access to healthy, enjoyable, and nutritious meals. Encourage the DCPS administration to prioritize our health--mental and physical--and welfare. Sign this petition to show your support for improving school lunches across the DC Public Schools system. This petition is not about small preferences—it is about ensuring that school-provided meals meet basic standards of quality, variety, and safety for all students.