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b'Whether your sales up or down, there has to be a reason. So whats behind the participation slump among students who dont qualify for free or reduced-priced meals? Some school nutrition professionals say its a clear case of cause and effect: paying kids dont like the new menus, so theyre not buying. But a recent report from the Food Resource and Action Center describes a much more complex set of circumstances. So does the experience of one well-to-do Kansas high school, where competitive foods are losing ground to the healthier, reimbursable deal meal. This program has been sponsored by The Tabard Inn. located in Washinton DC. The vast majority of schools are offering competitive foods. USDA research says that competitive foods drive students away from the school meals program. They create stigma, especially for middle and high school students, where its not necessarily the cool thing to be participating in the school meals program --Jessie Hewins on Inside School Food We were anticipating a drop in our a la carte sales, just like all the other schools implementing Smart Snacks. However, our reimbursable meals are up. Part of that is due to the fact that weve turned everything inside of the serving area into a potential reimbursable meal. Were calling it a meal deal. We encourage the high schools kids to take a whole apple or banana with them, to eat in study hall or before practice, and a lot of them are doing that. Its the change we want to see. The more popular students are being role models in this, and thats helping a lot. --Amy Droegemeier on Inside School Food'