Alternate lunch patterns in high schools. II. Student and foodstaff reactions.

Reactions to alternate menu patterns used in high school lunches were measured. Students rated food in Basic 4 and free-choice patterns more positively than Type A. The environment in the lunchroom was not rated differently with different menu patterns. Based on overall student reactions, the free-choice pattern was preferred. School lunch managers found the free-choice pattern more difficult to serve because of reimbursement and pricing problems but felt there was less plate waste and better student response with this system.