Would you pay for mystery meat?

I launched a crusade two years ago to improve my daughter's school lunch. Each meal at her school contained enough fat, calories and sodium to nearly exceed an entire day's recommended maximum, according to guidelines set by the American Heart Association and other organizations.

I had a plan. It included the services of an organic chef who had taken the helm of a nearby public school's kitchen; a curriculum component using fruits and vegetables to learn about sociology, world studies and math; even recipes and family notes for the school newsletter.

It got nowhere, I'm sad to report. But perhaps if it came with some financial incentives, it might have been more successful. Why not take a lesson from this school in England? I would have loved to have walked down the block for a fresh, healthy lunch with my daughter, fellow parents, neighbors and the community at large (though I would suggest turkey burgers instead of sausages):

"A school in Wittersham, England, has opened its lunch cafeteria to the public to meet financial needs. In response to rising food and operating costs and declining sales, Wittersham Primary School has decided to turn the cafeteria into something akin to a restaurant. The school is charging about $4 for a three-course meal. Menu items include sausages with Yorkshire pudding; beef fajitas; ham, pepper and
sweetcorn pizza; and roast turkey with stuffing and gravy. (UPI.com 5/9/09; Foodservice.com 5/13/09)"