MPS students hold rally for better lunch program

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Dozens of Milwaukee high school students braved the cold and snow demanding that MPS make changes to its school lunch program.

The campaign is called "School Lunch Justice" and is led by the group "Youth Empowered in the Struggle".

The students say the lunches MPS provides are not nutritious and are not filling.

They also say there are limited options that do not take into consideration cultural and religious restrictions.

"As an example, if you were allergic to peanut butter and someone served you that, there would be a consequence for the school," said Mandeeq Abdulahi, Milwaukee High School junior. But since we're Muslim and we're a minority group in the school, who cares. What are they going to think if we serve them pork?"

"I know that definitely some of my classmates skip lunch because the food is unappetizing or they're not hungry," said Zoe Smith, Reagan High School sophomore.

The students made six demands, which included hiring more lunch staff and having regular meetings with the MPS Board of Directors.