You really don't know how this works.  No, the schools do not pay for the lunches.  They outsource the lunch program to an outside entity who then has to perform the service of providing meals and they are tasked with either covering their costs.  See, it's like Applebees.  When you eat there, you are outsourcing your cooking and time to prepare food to them and they in turn provide this service and either earn a profit or a loss.  The risk is theirs, not yours.  The only difference with lunches is that the "Applebees" who wins the right to provide the service gets to use the schools facilities to do this.  And yes, it is laziness.  It's just like education. It isn't the schools responsibility, it's mine.  I just choose the school to be a part of the education process for which I am responsible for.  I guide, monitor, and actively participate in my kids education.  Apparently for other people like you, your role stops when you drop them off at the curb.