SAN ANTONIO, Texas – If parents were concerned because Michelle Obama’s lunch program cut portions and increased fruits and vegetables, the actions of the Northside School District will only increase their heartburn.

One of the byproducts of the federal rules was a dramatic increase in “plate waste” – that is, healthier foods were going directly into the garbage because students were required to take them.

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Now, as a way to cut down on waste, states like Texas are forcing schools to cut the amount of fruits and vegetables served.

“I get my kids through the breakfast line and I see that their fruit portion had been cut in half from what it normally was,” says Kimberly Jones, a parent of a student at Northwest Crossing Elementary School.

“He literally counted out, ‘I got 4 carrot sticks with my lunch yesterday,’ usually its 8 or 10, I just don’t think that’s enough,” the mother tells Fox 29.

The further decrease in portions comes as a result of a decision by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

“They reviewed our procedures, they reviewed our portion control, they reviewed our operations, and they cited Northside on the fact that too much food is going in the trash can,” according to district spokesperson Pascual Gonzalez.

“In October of last year, we were cited by the state for being out of compliance with our portions that we were serving,” he tells ABC 12. “And it is true we used to serve a lot more food, but it was contrary to guidelines provided by the state.”

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The school district didn’t notify parents it had further cut portions but “in hindsight that is something that we should have done.”

Meanwhile, WFMJ reports, “Changes made to school nutrition guidelines over the past three years have put a bad taste in the mouths of many people.”

“When it first started, it was horrible. We had to pull all of the cookies. We had to pull all of the ice creams. All of the things they really liked and give them salad,” says Natalie Winkle, Boardman Local Schools’ food service director.

Like many others, the Ohio district continues to struggle to find foods students want to eat.

“Trying to stay on budget with the fresh fruits are tough, and especially in our area, we have to stay with seasonal things,” according to Trish Wilson, food service director for Girard City Schools.

“There aren’t a lot of products available that fit the guidelines,” she says.

The Horry County, South Carolina district may seek a tax increase to offset its losses resulting from the “healthy” lunch program.

“There’s nowhere else to raise funding except to raise taxes and you’re talking about a large millage increase with all the other financial situations we have, I don’t think it’ll ever be an option,” says school board chairman Joe DeFeo.

District administrators report participation is down and food waste is up.

“That’s been our challenge is to give the students what they would like, still remain healthy, increase fruits and vegetables, but yet still offer them something that are their favorites,” Horry County Schools food service director Laura Farmer tells WMBF.

School districts will converge on Washington, DC for the School Nutrition Association’s annual conference in March.

They will likely voice their concerns to members of Congress who will be debating a re-authorization of the National School Lunch Program, which underwent the “healthy” overhaul in 2010.

Given the ongoing chaos, they’ll likely have a lot to chew on … unlike school children.