We had a "meal plan" so kids who didn't have money could get the same unnerving plastic foodstuffs as everyone else. Me? I stopped eating lunch. It was 6 months before anyone noticed and when they did, my parents supported my decision.

We too were "unencumbered by wealth" but my parents were far too proud to "take a hand out", so not eating lunch (which gave me a whole hour do read in the middle of the day) seemed the best option.