Chicago School Bans Homemade Lunches

Have you heard about this yet?   A Chicago school banned homemade lunches saying unless the child has a food allergy or some other medical reason that would require him or her to have a special diet, they may not bring a homemade lunch.  The ban has been in place for six years, but an article in the Chicago Tribune has brought the issue up again.

The principal of the school made the decision after she said she saw students eating lunches consisting of soda pop and chips.  While I agree with the principal not liking soda pop and chips as a meal, I do not agree that home lunches should be banned from school.
This is partly about choice and personal responsibility versus government intervention and regulation.   The other side of the coin is where is the benefit when many school lunches served end up in the bin less than 20 minutes later because the kids don't like it. 
I don't think a ban on all school lunches from home should be in place.  I would much rather see a ban on the pop, chips, candy and other junk food.    Making a list of healthy choices for lunches brought to school could be sent home at curriculum night or at the beginning of the school year for parents who wish to send lunch.  Having fresh fruit available for students to purchase for .25 or .50 could help round out their lunches if there parents did not provide a fruit. 

Do you think a school has the right to tell parents they may not pack a lunch for their kids?