A Chicago school’s controversial policy of banning pupils from bringing lunches from home is aimed at encouraging healthy eating, the principal said. Elsa Carmona of the kindergarten-through-eighth-grade Little Village Academy said pupils must eat the lunch served in the cafeteria unless they have a medical reason to bring their own food. “Nutrition-wise, it is better for the children to eat at the school,” Carmona said. “It’s about the nutrition and the excellent quality food that they are able to serve [in the lunchroom]. It’s milk versus a Coke. But with allergies and any medical issue, of course, we would make an exception.” Another Chicago school, Calremont Academy Elementary, stops short of banning home produced lunches by confiscating what the school deems as unhealthy foods – those that have too much salt or sugar.

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