Public School Lunch

snarf432

But on another note...if a child told me that they didn't eat all weekend long I would 100% report it. Its neglect and child abuse. I love children and wouild feed them all if i could!

desiv2

They should keep the healthier lunch, but not limit the calories. Now, most schools don't allow seconds unless you pay extra, so I doubt the kids who are getting free lunch are allowed seconds. However, even if they are limited to 850 calories, if the food is healthier, they are actually getting MORE food than before. I agree with other posters, the kids might not be eating the fruits and veggies?

Most schools offer breakfast as well, and in my school they always had free PB&J and a loaf of bread out for the teenage boys who couldn't eat enough and the kids who couldn't pay. Something like that would be a good addition, you should bring the issue up to your school principal or board and see if there are things they can do to help. Otherwise, like another poster said, even if lunches were 2000 calories, it wouldn't help them if they don't eat all weekend. What about summer vacation? These kids most likely have food at home, if not, their parents are abandoning them and should be reported.

Either way, in my books having a healthier lunch is better than having higher calories and pizza, chicken nuggets, french fries, etc. Even if it were more calories, it isn't giving much in the way of vitamins which is what these kids need.

melonclarinet

I'm a teacher as well and have been in several districts in both California and Arizona. The guidelines for "healthy" food sold at school are not as good as people think. Our schools have free breakfast and lunch for students (because of our socio-economic status). I start my classes (band) when they open for breakfast and see what is offered...a couple of days ago it was Pop Tarts. Today a Churro...one girl has cocoa krispies with chocolate mild every day The good news is that they are forcing the kids to take a vegetable and a fruit in order to leave the line for lunch. On Wednesdays, they are highlighting a different vegetable and even serve them on plates that look like Veggie Tales. I see some effort, but really the food is not nutritious. Our cafeterias boast that they have a "salad bar" every day; it's iceberg lettuce and some chopped tomatoes and ranch dressing.
When our band ran a student store that sold snacks, they had follow the nutrition guidelines; we sold otter pops (frozen sugar water), rice krispy treats, skinny cow ice cream, and corn nuts along with other things. None of those items are things I would consider nutritious, but they met the nutrition guidelines.

It would be nice if there were a solution that would help students who are at risk for obesity understand how to eat well as well as make them eat healthy while providing enough food for students who don't eat at home. I guess in the end, it really needs to be parents who become responsible for feeding their children. The schools can't be responsible for every part of raising children. There are food banks and other options that many of the parents are not taking advantage of. Really, the schools are put in a difficult place, but I agree that there is possibly a better solution.

algebravoodoo

But on another note...if a child told me that they didn't eat all weekend long I would 100% report it. Its neglect and child abuse. I love children and wouild feed them all if i could!

My students are in high school so the majority whose parents either cannot or will not feed them have found other sources of weekend food, but you can tell at breakfast Monday morning that those portions were even more meager. The teachers file reports of suspected abuse/neglect but nothing ever seems to change for the child.

To give an idea of what my school calls a portion, get a condiment cup, you know those plastic ones they use for tartar sauce aand the likes that hold all of a 1/4 cup at most. Now, fill it barely halfway with food of choice... You get three of those plus a bread item and a 1/2 pint of milk. I wish I were exagerating.

CincinnatiDEIFan

I just want to add before I go off to bed this evening how much I apprecate each teacher in this thread that cares enough to be worried about a child.

I send both my children off to school each day and I pray that each of their teachers care this much. :-)

ancurtis

I teach kindergarten in a school with over 60% free and reduced lunch in a metro Atlanta county. My kids are 5 and 6. I know of 3 who don't eat unless it's at school. I encourage my students to save any food from the cafe that has been unopened and uneaten and take back to my class. I send that food home with those who don't eat. I also, despite my tight family budget, keep heavy snacks to send home with kids who don't get food. Sadly, the DFACS system is so overwhelmed that not feeding your kids is very low on the list. Physical and sexual abuse trump neglect. My stance has always been, if you can't afford to feed a kid, don't bring it into the world. Children do not ask to be be born and do not deserve to go hungry. Sadly, it is what it is, and it will continue. I will do what I can to feed those who need it.

algebravoodoo

I teach kindergarten in a school with over 60% free and reduced lunch in a metro Atlanta county. My kids are 5 and 6. I know of 3 who don't eat unless it's at school. I encourage my students to save any food from the cafe that has been unopened and uneaten and take back to my class. I send that food home with those who don't eat. I also, despite my tight family budget, keep heavy snacks to send home with kids who don't get food. Sadly, the DFACS system is so overwhelmed that not feeding your kids is very low on the list. Physical and sexual abuse trump neglect. My stance has always been, if you can't afford to feed a kid, don't bring it into the world. Children do not ask to be be born and do not deserve to go hungry. Sadly, it is what it is, and it will continue. I will do what I can to feed those who need it.

I'm with you, Sister! My district is (drumroll please) 85+% free and reduced, heavy on the free!
The kids know who keeps an emergency stash. Our eldest daughter teaches in the same school as I and we both have a nice little pantry in the classroom. The best part is, it is actually against the regulations for us to feed the kids. Ain't life just grand?

amberaz

I work in an after school program at a Title 1 school. Some of our kids are very poor and according to the teachers I work with, many claim to be hungry all of the time. It's sad and I hate that the kids have to go through that because their parents are too poor/lazy/selfish/whatever to take care of their children. However, I don't think it is the school's or the government's place to police nutrition. Now, what if by offering a huge lunch to all of the kids, it makes the kids who are able to eat regular meals at home obese. How is that any better? I don't know that there is a good way to "single out" those in need vs those not in need, especially in an institutional cafeteria environment. If children are going hungry for days on end, it need to be reported to the authorities. Period. That is not just neglect, it is abuse, especially when it involves small children who are incapable of feeding themselves.

Also, our cafeteria as applied for a grant that will allow our after school program to serve a complete meal and to make care packages for kids who are suspected of not having enough food in the home. Maybe there is a similar grant available that your school could apply for.

algebravoodoo

I work in an after school program at a Title 1 school. Some of our kids are very poor and according to the teachers I work with, many claim to be hungry all of the time. It's sad and I hate that the kids have to go through that because their parents are too poor/lazy/selfish/whatever to take care of their children. However, I don't think it is the school's or the government's place to police nutrition. Now, what if by offering a huge lunch to all of the kids, it makes the kids who are able to eat regular meals at home obese. How is that any better? I don't know that there is a good way to "single out" those in need vs those not in need, especially in an institutional cafeteria environment. If children are going hungry for days on end, it need to be reported to the authorities. Period. That is not just neglect, it is abuse, especially when it involves small children who are incapable of feeding themselves.

I don't think anyone here disagrees that it is abuse to not provide basic nutrition for your child. The fact still remains that we report these incidents time and again, yet nothing changes. And I definitely agree that it is not the government's or school's responsibility to be the calorie police, but it feels like we are being hanged if we do and shot if we don't.

luvs2teachincali

I'm a public school teacher and I forgot my lunch one day last week. They had a rib sandwich that smelled and looked really good. I asked how many calories it had and the lunch lady said, "I think it's like a thousand!" I was like WHAT!?!? She laughed and said she wasn't sure off the top of her head but thought it was between 500 and 800 calories like the hamburger. Again, WHAT??? You've surely seen the size of a cafeteria burger. It's like the size of a kid's meal burger at the drive-thru. What exactly are they putting int heir food to make it bulk up so much!? How is it I could go to McDonald's and get a burger "cheaper" (calorie-wise) than the school cafeteria? There is something seriously wrong with that picture!!

A few months ago I had a bean and cheese burrito and it was 350 calories. Again, it's really small and it doesn't have a lot of beans or cheese inside. The beef, bean, and cheese burrito had just a few LESS calories than the bean and cheese. That doesn't make any sense either....?? I like to sometimes eat El Monterrey frozen burritos at home for a quick, easy meal or snack. The bean and cheese chimichanga is under 300 calories and when you bite into it, the insides spill out it's so thick and full. The beef, bean, and cheese burrito has exactly 300 calories and it's the same...very full. Again, WHAT IN THE HECK ARE THEY ADDING TO THEIR FOOD TO BULK UP THE CALORIES!?!?

I teach in California and 100% of the students at my school are on FREE LUNCH. They are able to get FREE breakfast as well. I teach kindergarten so I have to monitor my students as they go through the line. They have to take at least one fruit OR veggie but can take two. They also have to take one hot item and CAN take one starch item if they want (usually tator tots or baked chips). A lot of the kids don't like the school lunch but because their parents know they get FREE lunch, they refuse to pack them a lunch. I have one boy that has already been caught going through the lunch line and tossing the whole thing in the trash can before he even made it to the table to sit down. He says he doesn't like it. I spoke to his parents through a translator the second time he did it. He hasn't done it again since, but he doesn't eat it either. He waits awhile before tossing it now.

I agree that the kids who complain about being hungry are still hungry because they aren't taking everything they are able to take. If they are, they aren't eating it all.

luvs2teachincali

The saddest thing is that some of the parents DO have the money (or food stamps) to be able to feed their children yet don't. They'd rather have their smart phones with data packages, dyed hair, fancy cars, fake nails, expensive makeup, nice Coach purses, etc.....

Tsk, tsk.

timmymon

I do think there should be regulations on school lunches in the sense that they should aim to make them as healthy as possible. These kids are growing and need to learn how to eat right. I was in high school not so long ago and I remember the lunches being complete garbage. It was nearly impossible to eat healthy if you were buying lunch from the school. The problem of childhood and adolescent obescity is only growing and I think we need to do things like this in order to give kids a shot at being healthy adults. At least it is a step in the right direction.

I think it is important to remember that lower calories doesn't necessarily mean healthier though. I would be interested in seeing what these lower calorie lunches consist of. I know that I eat and need a lot of calories a day but I make sure that I am eating good food. Teaching kids proper nutrition and portion size is important and beneficial, making it so they can only eat two breaded chicken patties instead of three is not.

amberaz

The saddest thing is that some of the parents DO have the money (or food stamps) to be able to feed their children yet don't. They'd rather have their smart phones with data packages, dyed hair, fancy cars, fake nails, expensive makeup, nice Coach purses, etc.....

Tsk, tsk.

I see a lot of that in our town. A lot of the people who have these nice things are the first ones to put their hand out for something free for their kids. I hate seeing people prioritize those things over not only their children's wants, but their basic needs. I have kids who come to school in clothes that are too big, holey, to small, filthy, or not weather appropriate and mom comes to pick them up with nice nails, a dye job and a smartphone that she is too busy to get off of and speak to her child, who by this point has been at school for 9 hours. Please don't tell me that "Glam Mama" cannot feed her children...she can, she just chooses not to.

Sorry...off soap box now.

mom2sons02

I do think there should be regulations on school lunches in the sense that they should aim to make them as healthy as possible. These kids are growing and need to learn how to eat right. I was in high school not so long ago and I remember the lunches being complete garbage. It was nearly impossible to eat healthy if you were buying lunch from the school. The problem of childhood and adolescent obescity is only growing and I think we need to do things like this in order to give kids a shot at being healthy adults. At least it is a step in the right direction.

I think it is important to remember that lower calories doesn't necessarily mean healthier though. I would be interested in seeing what these lower calorie lunches consist of. I know that I eat and need a lot of calories a day but I make sure that I am eating good food. Teaching kids proper nutrition and portion size is important and beneficial, making it so they can only eat two breaded chicken patties instead of three is not.

http://bentonvillek12.org/web/parents/uploads/2012-2013 October Junior High Lunch Menu.pdf

That is the jr high menu for my sons school

Ronngie

I just want to add before I go off to bed this evening how much I apprecate each teacher in this thread that cares enough to be worried about a child.

I send both my children off to school each day and I pray that each of their teachers care this much. :-)

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tigerlily8045

In my area they have http://blessingsinabackpack.org/

This might be something that you can either participate in or get started at your school. This will help feed those kids that don't get food over the weekend.

joannathechef

Hola,

So, lots of you know that I am a high school teacher in an area where there are a lot of "have nots". You know, the kids who show up to school dirty and wearing the same clothes they wore yesterday.

Many of you also have children in public schools and are aware of the recent changes that are being made to lunchroom food. Federal guidelines now stipulate that lunchroom meals must be fewer than 600 calories in high schools, in an effort to cut down on childhood obesity rates and teach young people about healthy eating. I get it and commend the effort.

BUT--I have kids who only get one meal per day, and this is it. When they leave on Friday afternoons, they might not eat again until lunch on Monday. They have been complaining about being hungry and it breaks my heart that their lunch portions have gotten smaller and less-filling.

Sorry for venting...just wanted to talk about it. What's your opinion?

I feel sorry for the kids but what the hell are the parents doing - if you are that poor you should be on food stamps --- so are they trading them in for drugs....also make a hand out with the physical addresses of the food banks in your area and make sure kids can taken them home with out being noticed by the other kids.

ewies84

Our local foodbank has a program that provides food to students for the weekend. The food is enough for the student to eat for an entire weekend. Food is sent home in the students' backpacks each Friday. It's not the healthiest food (single servings of mac 'n cheese, raviolis, etc.) but it fills the bellies of children who would otherwise go hungry. Also, during the summer months, several of our nonprofit agencies teamed up to provide a daily lunch service. One church provided the location, another church provided a bus pickup from several schools, and other agencies/churches provided manpower. It turned out to be a wonderful program; one that I hope they continue for years to come. Maybe look into some agencies in your area that may be able to provide similar services???

redhousecat

my (unpopular) opinion is I don't believe any public school should be responsible for feeding kids. That is what foodbanks are for.

perdie7

It's not that they won't eat it, it's simply not enough for growing kids. My son is in high school, and on the cross country team. I figured is calorie intake, by age, weight and activity level, 3500 a day 600 for lunch is not enough.

then he should bring his own lunch. or supplement the school lunch with items from home.

I think you missed the point of this post. The kids that are going hungry are the ones who can't bring food from home....they don't eat at home.

she said that the lunch for her son, who is on the cross country team isn't enough. first, I doubt the kids whose parents can't afford food can afford to play sports. second, cross country is usually done in high school and the calorie amount in high school is 850, not 600.

however, why aren't the kids who qualify for free and reduced lunch not getting a free or reduced price breakfast also? seems like that would be the first step to getting more food in them.

My son gets free meals, eats all the lunch, and eats something he brings from home. There are lots of kids who get free meals who are in sports. he eats breakfast at 7:30 am, lunch around noon, then runs after school from 3:30 - 5:00 or 6:00, that 850 calories doesn't last long.

TrimAnew

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this or not, but what about pairing up with a food bank and starting one of those backpack programs for the needy kids?

(edit: I see someone else has also heard of the back pack thing)

Basically, when the kids leave school for the day or for the weekend (I think I've mostly heard of this as a weekend thing) they grab a normal looking backpack from a designated location that has been filled with snacks, fresh fruit, non perishable foods, and sometimes toiletries. Foods that can be microwaved, while not high quality, work well. A young kid with semi-absent parents can microwave a Chef Boyardee meal without too much trouble. Whereas providing a kid ingredients for a complicated stove-top or oven meal could be problematic.

The next school day, they return the empty back pack to school, and go home with a newly filled one as necessary. The backpacks are normal so they don't stand out (think Dora the explorer, etc).

Sometimes local groups, such as churches, can adopt the back pack program for a long holiday break, so that the bags have extras then.


Here are some examples:

http://www.backpacks-of-love.org/index.htm

http://backpacksforkids.org/

and many more.

hdjjones

It's been a long time since I was eating school lunches put don't the lunch ladies/servers tune in to the more needy children and push the envelope a little? Plus I am sure at the end of the day like many institutions they must be throwing a ton of food out. Are these children not allowed a second helping if they are recognized as having problems meeting their food needs for the day and are still hungry. I know they are trying to limit calories but certainly they are not being served by robot arms. How about a like human interaction/intervention? Is someone policing this policy. Is anyone going to get in trouble or fired if a child is given a little more?

charisma103

I have no problem with the government mandating healthier meals, but the amount of food they are giving these children is not enough.

If they're so worried about childhood obesity, maybe the goverment should start funding physical education classes to get them moving, instead of letting them be cut. I hardly think the childhood obesity epedemic is caused by one school lunch Monday-Friday.

I know so many people who feed their kids fast food every day, because it's convenient and they have "no time" to prepare a proper meal. Fast food combined with little or no activity will equal weight gain. How many kids do you know come home from school and plop down in front of the TV to play video games and snack?

It's a shame these kids who only get that one meal suffer because no one is looking at the big picture.

256Sept12

These kids not eating on the weekend doesn't mean the school has to give them high calorie foods during the week. Having healthy and lower calorie meals is the right option for schools to take I believe.

What needs to happen is more education and help to the parents who can't feed their kids. Where can these parents get food? A shelter? Can the kids go home with a bookbag full of food for the weekend (thats what my state does)?

There has to be organizations around that feed the hungry. And if not in your area, why not consider starting one?