The document discusses how Chile implemented a transparent competitive bid auction system in the 1990s to address issues with its school lunch program. The auction standardized meals and quality requirements while introducing price competition between vendors. This resulted in the government saving 20-25% on costs, allowing it to feed 300,000 additional children daily. The chief economist was interested in this case study due to its use of economic science and auction logic to increase transparency and revenues in a sensible way for a large market program.