Public high schools receiving less money from cafeteria sales are going to get some financial help from the Greater Essex Country District School Board.

School officials said that cafeteria business is down because kids are opting to eat off site in light of the province's ban on junk food.

Money from cafeteria sales funds some extracurricular activities and clubs at schools.

Superintendent Penny Allen said the revenue usually funds and hotel costs for teams that go to championships.

Schools with fast food outlets nearby are suffering most.

The public school board has decided to direct $95,000 toward those seeing a shortfall. The money will come from the board's budget surplus from the last school year.

Allen hopes students eventually return to eating in cafeterias.

"I do hope we can make some progress towards cutting down the problem — at least working with our high schools, working with our cafeteria service providers because it's in their best interest to keep the revenue up as well," she said. "I know they're trying but maybe we need to do a little more consultation because schools schools that are surrounded by a number of fast food restaurants are having a hard time."

Money from the surplus will also be used for a backup generator for computer services, a new library software program and to buy books for the new French immersion school going into the old W.D. Lowe High School.