* School District/Local Government: Often, school districts have food service departments that are responsible for planning menus, ordering food, and managing the overall lunch program. They often work within guidelines set by higher levels of government.
* State/Provincial Government: Many states or provinces have regulations and guidelines regarding school lunches, such as nutritional requirements and standards for food safety. They might also provide funding or support for the programs.
* Federal Government (in some countries): In the United States, for example, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) plays a significant role in setting nutritional standards for school lunches through programs like the National School Lunch Program. They provide funding and guidelines that districts must follow.
* School Staff (sometimes): While not usually involved in the larger planning, school staff may have input on things like preferences of students, managing the lunchroom itself, and sometimes suggesting menu items.
* Food Service Contractors (sometimes): Some schools contract with private companies to manage their food service, and these companies have a large say in menu planning and operations.
In short, it's a collaborative effort, but the dominant influence usually comes from the school district and/or the relevant government agency(ies) at the local, state/provincial, or national level.