In response to parents 'complaints about a lack of variation in the content of boxed lunches from outside vendors, early in 2006 Miaoli County Education Bureau invited bids for a contract to deliver lunch to 35 schools in the county. Six caterers were selected to deliver lunch buffets served out of economical tubs for a more reasonable price of NT $ 35 per meal.
由於外訂盒餐菜色缺少變化，而且一個 40 元的價位，和學校公辦午餐一餐 25 到 30 元相差太多，家長抱怨頻仍，因此今年初苗栗縣教育局出面，以 35 校聯合招標的方式，評選出 6 家廠商，將餐費壓低到 35 元，並改以可省下紙盒及分裝成本的「桶餐」供應。