Governor Mark Dayton says state laws prohibiting so-called “school lunch shaming” must be strengthened and there should be consequences for school districts that don’t follow them. The governor says he agrees with Republican Representative Sarah Anderson: “Just look at the face of child when you decide to dump their tray, and the ridicule they face from their classmates.”
The issue has lawmakers’ attention after reports the Stewartville School District in southeast Minnesota instructed lunchroom staff to publicly dump food trays of students who owe money on their lunch accounts and give them a sandwich instead. District officials did not respond to a request for comment. Stewartville Superintendent Belinda Selfors said earlier the alternative meals meet all U-S-D-A requirements.