When Comdiments Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Have Condiments

So, schools are trying to "nudge" students toward eating more healthy foods.

But when the nudge doesn't work, they use a bludgeon.  School authorities are not really interested in nudging after all.  They want compliance.

Still, those rebellious little squeakers want lunches that they can actually eat.  Some of them have the audacity to bring to school (wait for it).... CONDIMENTS!  Salt, pepper, even sugar.

The obvious next step in a prison environment (and a public school cafeteria is pretty close to a prison environment) is exchange.  So the younglings are trading, and even selling, their salt and pepper, in an effort to make that mush somewhat edible.

Excerpt:

During a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, chaired by Rep. Todd Rokita (R., Ind.), a school administrator told Congress of the “unintended consequences” of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

“Perhaps the most colorful example in my district is that students have been caught bringing–and even selling–salt, pepper, and sugar in school to add taste to perceived bland and tasteless cafeteria food,” said John S. Payne, the president of Blackford County School Board of Trustees in Hartford City, Indiana.

“This ‘contraband’ economy is just one example of many that reinforce the call for flexibility [with the rules],” he said.

Flexibility?   The new Mandarins in charge of school meals don't need no stinkin' "flexibility."  We need for you to do as you are told!  How can ya ha' any cupcakes, if ya won' eat yer meat?

The silver lining?  These new Mandarins are producing a generation of little subversives.  First they smuggle in salt, and next thing you know they may have their own ideas about government!