The company running the cafeterias at six local schools has closed them down after new legislation banning junk food came into effect.
Brown's Fine Foods decided not to renew its contract with six schools because it was worried it couldn't sell enough healthy options, meaning students now have to bring their own lunch or leave campus to eat.
Brown's would have to contend with a convenience store across the street that sells pizza, pop and chips – exactly the items that were banned from schools starting this September.
"When I used to get food here, I'd get chicken wraps," said Melissa Logan from the school. "Now I have to get more unhealthy food to get lunch."
One Grade 9 student at Arnprior District High School succinctly explained the company's dilemma now that popular high-fat or sugary foods aren't being sold.
"Junk food is delicious and healthy food is not," said Grade 9 student Brook Smith.
The vending machine inside the school used to be full of chocolate bars and had to be refilled twice a day.
Now, the machine stocked with healthy foods that serves the entire student population is barely touched.
"That's all we eat, junk food," said Grade 11 student Tyler Pike. "But it's fast and it's easy, get it and you're gone."
The school's principal said they're trying to find a new service provider, but acknowledges it'll be tough.
"Our board is in talks with service providers, it's out of our hands," said Neil Farmer. "We hope we'll be told that it's successful and the cafeteria will be up and running."
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr
