Food Czars Take Aim At The School Lunch Box

As a parent, you reserve the right to say what's right for your child. Well, think again.

One public school in Chicago has banned home-packed lunches. In other words, the children are required to eat the school's hot lunch.

Principal Elsa Carmona said her intention is to protect students from their own unhealthful food choices.

"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."

But who's really winning?

Any school that bans homemade lunches also puts more money in the pockets of the district's food provider, Chartwells-Thompson. The federal government pays the district for each free or reduced-price lunch taken, and the caterer receives a set fee from the district per lunch.

One school district has even take it a step farther.