Feds use 1 photo to fight viral #ThanksMichelleObama sad, skimpy school lunch tweets

“They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in the digital age we have ample opportunity to document and broadcast every moment, meeting and meal,” the United States Department of Agriculture website proudly announces, along with a photo of a cute child holding a tray of food.

“We have all seen those unappetizing photos of food served at school that quickly go viral. A lonesome whole wheat bun atop a sad fish fillet; a mysterious-looking meat mixture served next to an apple. It’s natural to ask, ‘Is this what they serve for lunch!?’ No, it’s really not.”

In contrast to the USDA’s lone photo, there are dozens of photos of unappetizing lunches tweeted just this past month by students (and a few parents.)

The hashtag is an ironic nod to Michelle Obama’s advocacy of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which has drastically reduced the sodium and calorie levels in students’ lunches.