Hundreds of youngsters are snubbing new healthy meals at Walsall schools in favour of taking in their own treats.
Since new health eating rules were brought in throughout the UK, Walsall Council has seen the number of primary children taking up meals plunge, while numbers are also down in Staffordshire.
Bosses have revealed a shortfall of around £320,000 since the drive, championed by TV chef Jamie Oliver, came into force.
Cooks have been banned from serving up burgers, sausages and chips in a bid to tackle obesity in the region, instead preparing more vegetables and fruit.
Parent Dave Palmer, of Walsall Wood, said his daughter had stopped eating school meals. He said: “I make her sandwiches every day now. She just doesn’t like the food on offer anymore.”
The slump will be discussed at the council’s cabinet on Wednesday.
It reveals how the council expects to overspend by £320,000 in its sports and operational services department because of increased costs within catering.
Councillor Zahid Ali, Walsall Council cabinet member for children’s services, said the council was looking to working with schools to educate youngsters over the changes.
“What concerns us greatly is that secondary school children are able to leave school and go to the nearest takeaway to eat fish and chips.”
He added: “We’ve got rid of processed foods such as turkey twizzlers and turkey burgers. We’ve introduced more homemade dishes such as pasta bakes and fish.
“All this means that we’re serving healthier foods which means that children are more awake and alert in the afternoons. As a result of this our costs have risen by 11 pence a meal to 61 pence. That’s an increase of around 20 per cent.”
The issue has also been raised in Staffordshire.
Staffordshire education spokesman Tim Ash said: “There has been a slight fall in numbers but also overall pupil numbers are down.”
By Lee Perry
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