Did you see this in the article?
Any school that bans homemade lunches also puts more money in the pockets of the district's food provider, Chartwells-Thompson. The federal government pays the district for each free or reduced-price lunch taken, and the caterer receives a set fee from the district per lunch.
Chicago school bans some lunches brought from home
Remember spring 1995 the Democrats held "Don't starve school children" rallies on the capital steps to protest budget cuts in federal school lunch program? I actually drove down (about 25 minutes) to see that one, Jesse Jackson and the BCC live.
Yeah typical Chi town. Though I’m sure it happens elsewhere as well.