The Spartan Inn is the pride and joy of the Lima City Schools culinary and food service management program. The restaurant is run by the students as they learn the fundamentals of the food industry with hands-on real work experience. The students say it is an experience that exceeds their expectations.

The free school meals program was first instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to help families struggling financially and to ensure that as many students get a meal at school. However, the Lima City School District meets requirements under the community eligibility program that provides free breakfast and lunch to students that started in 2014, and the district has successfully reapplied for the program.