Oh that's great! Hubby's school district has been this way for years and that's my only point of reference because our kids are grown. But this is great to hear!

Yep, in his district they are! I think the districts need to apply for a waiver to do that, though. They have to have a certain percentage already receiving free lunch in order to qualify. It's awesome though.

Can't speak for other states but that's not true in California. They require schools to include fresh California produce. I think they offer it to the schools for free or for a discounted price. Plus some school districts focus on actual cooking, though supply issues during Covid messed with that. My husband is a cook for a lower middle class school district in southern California.

If OP finds more, she should just buy them and slowly add them to the dishwasher, a few at a time. Keep it up until there are like 50. Never say anything.

This sounds pretty much exactly like the story my son in law's brother told me at a family gathering, except he hasn't realized that it's a con yet. He wasn't receptive to any gentle suggestions about it. Oh well, he'll find out soon enough.