What's served for lunch at Barbara Robey Elementary School in Litchfield varies, but students are always encouraged to keep their plates colorful, with fruits and vegetables. (Photo by Lily Altavena/Cronkite News)

A Cronkite News analysis of Arizona Department of Education data shows the percentage of food service expenditures that went to actual food in Maricopa County school districts. A lower percentage could be for a range of reasons: schools may use gardens to supplement food or could have had higher staff or equipment costs that year. It may also indicate food service directors particularly adept at stretching their district’s food service budget.

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