I need your help re: school lunch menus please

[kldmom2000]

My DD started 1st grade last week and this is the first year she is in school all day. She wants to buy lunch like the other kids but I am APPALLED by the school lunch menu. It's horrific. There are NO VEGETABLES at all offered. Every day there is a choice between a hot dog, tuna roll, and a third item which changes each day-that item is usually chicken nuggets, pizza, NACHOS WITH ZESTY CHEESE SAUCE , or grilled cheese. The sides that are offered with those lovely choices are oven fries, canned fruit in syrup and then a choice of milk. EVERYDAY they have fries I won't let my DD buy lunch more than once a week (and I only cave that one day because her friends buy it EVERY day and she eats pretty well otherwise). I'm concerned especially about the kids in the lower income households that this might be their only real meal of the day and it's going to contribute to future health issues and poor eating habits

The funny thing is, they just instituted a new policy where there will be no more celebrations of kids' birthdays with any kind of food (they're nixing the cupcakes) or any holiday celebrations due to the possibility that parents might send in candy (ie. Halloween/Valentine's day) because they are instituting a "wellness program" yet the school lunches are disgusting!

What I need from you before a approach the school committee is the following:

*Any samples of lunch menus from your city/town/district that you could share-you can either post them here or PM me

*If you are able to-to disclose the $$ amount your city/town/district pays per child for school lunches (for instance, in our city, the city supposedly pays $5.85 per lunch out of their pocket-they get reimbursed from the child the $1.85 lunch dues per day)

I need to be able to show them that IT IS possible to put a vegetable on that plate every day and serve fresh fruit rather than the canned stuff in sugary syrup..... I want healthier options for the main dish (what the heck are nachos with zesty cheese sauce doing on an elementary school lunch menu?!?!??!)

If anyone can help me, I would appreciate it soooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!

 

[foolishmortal]

Here is a link to my sons school lunch. They ALWAYS have fresh fruit and vegetable included in the lunches.

http://pinnaclecsi.org/LunchAugSept.pdf

 

[ElizaB39]

I think you would be able to find information on school websites. Can you search adjacent school districts sites? Call admin offices of the same school districts. I would think the info is public (subsidized info).

 

[CathrynRose]

Im sorry you feel this way.

Why not pack a lunch, if youre adament about what your child should and shouldnt be eating?

 

[ElizaB39]

Here is a link to my son's lunch menu. Good luck.


http://www.spring-ford.net/dept-admin/cafeteria/Lcafe/Back to School MENU 2006.pdf

 

[golfgal]

Just something to look into, in our old school they only listed the main dish and the side dish on the menu, they never listed the veges but they DID have them every day.

Our kids are really excited about the school lunches so far at our new school. I have to say the choices are really amazing for the secondary schools. Middle and High Schoolers pay $2/lunch, which I think is really reasonable. Now, if they want to buy alacarte that can add up to over $6/meal but our kids aren't allowed to use their lunch money on that and can only use their own money if they want, which they don't.

Let me see if I can cut/paste the menu here--it is in a monthly calendar form but you can get the idea of the various choices, 3 each day:

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
September 18 September 5 & 19 September 6 & 20 September 7 & 21 September 8 & 22

Pasta and Meatballs
With 1 Breadstick
Sweet and Sour Chicken
With Fortune Cookie
Cheese Quesadillas
With Fixings
Pizza*
With Fresh Carrots
Nachos
With Fixings
Broccoli Normandy 1 Eggroll Fresh Grapes 1 Grape Sherbet 1 Raspberry Churro
Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk
Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée
Chicken Strips
& Baked Onion Rings
Mini Corn Dogs
With Macaroni & Cheese
Italian Chicken Sandwich
on Wheat Bun
BBQ Turkey Sandwich
With Corn on the Cob
Bosco Cheese Stix
With Chili
Relish Sticks Yogurt Parfait Potato Rounds 1 Cupcake Fresh Fruit
Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk
Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée
Chicken Caesar Wrap
With Fruit Wedges
Foccacia Sandwich*
With Orange Half
Variety Chicken Salad
With Whole Grain Roll
Chicken Salad Sandwich on
Whole Grain Hoagie
Cobb Salad*
With 1 Whole Grain Breadstick
1 Brownie 1 Munchie Mix Blueberry Muffin Apple Wedges With Fruit Dip 1 Rice Krispie Bar
Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
September 11 & 25 September 12 & 26 September 13 & 27 September 14 & 28 September 15 & 29
Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée
Chicken Alfredo
With 1 Garlic Toast
Taco Cheese Fries Sesame Chicken Breast
Over Fried Rice
Pizza*
With Side Salad
Chicken Fajita Bowl
Variety Vegetables Frozen Strawberry Pushup 1 Eggroll 1 Cookie Apple Squares
Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk
Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée
Hot Dog on Whole Wheat Bun
With Baked Chips
BBQ/Crispy Chicken Drumstick
With 1 Yeasty Roll
Cheeseburger
on Wheat Bun
Philly Meatball Sandwich
On Whole Grain Hoagie
Baked Chicken Nuggets
With Waffle Fries
Baked Beans Mashed Potatoes French Fries Baked Potato Wedges Glazed Carrots
Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk
Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée Entrée
Teriyaki Chicken Salad
With Whole Grain Roll
Bagel Sandwich*
With 1 Baked Chips
Build Your Own Taco Salad Ham & Cheese Sandwich*
on Multi Grain Roll
With Fruit Wedge
BLT Wrap*
With Pretzels
Cake with Fruit 1 Oreos 1 Pudding 1 Granola Bar Melon Cup
Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk
INTERNATIONAL
FLAIR

DAKOTA DELI
Variety Fruit and Vegetable served with each meal daily.
Meals Subject to Change.
*May contain pork product(s).

 

[disykat]

Are you sure they don't have a fruit and vegetable bar? My kid's school always had the same stuff you are talking about - but with the addition of a daily fruit and vegie bar. I say "had" because I'm thrilled to see that the menus this year have two daily choices. One of the choices is a main dish like we had when we were kids - lasagna, meat with mashed potatoes, etc. The other choices are similar to what they had in the past (hot dogs, etc.) but seem to involve less fried food.

Soon all schools will have to be compliant with the new rules. Most schools are already working towards that. This year we have the new menu choices and my junior high schooler reports that french fries have disappeared from the menu (much to his dismay!).

I fully understand why you are upset, but this may be a fight you don't have to fight. The changes are already being mandated. Now you just have to find out when your district will be instituting change - and send cold lunch with your child most days until they do so.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Im sorry you feel this way.

Why not pack a lunch, if youre adament about what your child should and shouldnt be eating?

ITA

You can always toss an apple or carrot sticks in your daughters bookbag to have with her lunch.

As for the low income kids, believe me some of them may be eating better than you think.

 

[SSDonut]

Hi. Here's a link to our elem menu. I hope this works. . .


http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=2630&isa=Category&op=show

Good luck

 

[mickeyboat]

Our lunch costs $2 per child, which includes milk. There are two main selections with one side every day. There is alwasy fresh fruit available, and most days there are veggies. Yesterday Emily had a hot dog, potato puffs and a banana. They also have a chef salad as a choice once or twice a week. I also send in a snack every day, which is usually fruit or veggie, sometimes crackers.

I can't say I think our school lunches are incredibly nutritious, but they aren't too bad. If I packed a lunch, I would wonder how much of the good stuff they would actually eat.

Denae

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Here's a link to my son's school lunch menu, along with the cost. http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/foodserv/menus/pdf/eng_elem_sep.pdf

He never bought lunch in kindergarten, but wants to in 1st grade. We are vegetarian, so right there limits the number of meals a month that he can buy. And he is not a big pizza eater, so that limits it even more. I will let him buy every once in awhile, though.

 

[pozey]

My DD started 1st grade last week and this is the first year she is in school all day. She wants to buy lunch like the other kids but I am APPALLED by the school lunch menu. It's horrific. There are NO VEGETABLES at all offered. Every day there is a choice between a hot dog, tuna roll, and a third item which changes each day-that item is usually chicken nuggets, pizza, NACHOS WITH ZESTY CHEESE SAUCE , or grilled cheese. The sides that are offered with those lovely choices are oven fries, canned fruit in syrup and then a choice of milk. EVERYDAY they have fries I won't let my DD buy lunch more than once a week (and I only cave that one day because her friends buy it EVERY day and she eats pretty well otherwise). I'm concerned especially about the kids in the lower income households that this might be their only real meal of the day and it's going to contribute to future health issues and poor eating habits

The funny thing is, they just instituted a new policy where there will be no more celebrations of kids' birthdays with any kind of food (they're nixing the cupcakes) or any holiday celebrations due to the possibility that parents might send in candy (ie. Halloween/Valentine's day) because they are instituting a "wellness program" yet the school lunches are disgusting!

What I need from you before a approach the school committee is the following:

*Any samples of lunch menus from your city/town/district that you could share-you can either post them here or PM me

*If you are able to-to disclose the $$ amount your city/town/district pays per child for school lunches (for instance, in our city, the city supposedly pays $5.85 per lunch out of their pocket-they get reimbursed from the child the $1.85 lunch dues per day)

I need to be able to show them that IT IS possible to put a vegetable on that plate every day and serve fresh fruit rather than the canned stuff in sugary syrup..... I want healthier options for the main dish (what the heck are nachos with zesty cheese sauce doing on an elementary school lunch menu?!?!??!)

If anyone can help me, I would appreciate it soooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!

First off.......are you completely POSITIVE that "NO VEGETABLES" are offered? Or are you going off the printed menu your child brings home? Some of the printed menus sometimes do not include all of the sides offered.

That being said, at my kids' elementary school, they have the choice of 2 main dishes. Then, there is a completely separate salad bar with salad, vegetables, and fruits that they can get stuff from that is included with their lunch.

What I would do if I were you, would be to go have lunch with your child. See exactly what is offered. Then, if you are not happy with the offerings, talk to the school superintendant.

Child nutrition is very big around here.

 

[dcgrumpy]

DS is in Kindergarten everyday they have a choice of 2 sides which consist of cold vegetable, steamed vegetable, cup of fruit, fresh fruit, pasta salad or rice.


Some sample lunch choices
Chicken tenders
grilled cheese
turkey salad on roll
burger
pizza
turkey wrap
yogurt platter
ham & cheese sandwich or wrap
bolagna & chese
tunal salad on wheat
meatball hero
pasta bar w/variety of sauces

lunch is $1.50 a day or $1.45 a day if prepaid

 

[Blondy876]

First I applaud you for not simply complaining and then doing nothing. Good for you. Yes, you can send in fruit or veggies with you child and that's great but I also understand the child's desire to buy lunch like many of her friends.

I think you have received some great advice. Talk to the school, or have lunch with your child so that you know what is offered. My dd's school lunch menu only lists the items that change everyday. It doesn't list the fruit and veggies and pb & j sandwiches that are always on the menu. If you find that there really is very little fresh veggies or fruit on the menu then voice your concerns. And offer solutions. That is exactly what you are doing and I think it's great.

 

[momof2inPA]

Our lunch menu isn't online (I don't think), but they choose 2 of four fruits and veggies every day. They also have a choice of chef salad or garden salad or a sub instead of regular lunch. Our lunches are $2.50, but they might be cheaper at the public school. It's the same menu for our private school as it is for the public school.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Here is a like to our schools current menu. http://www.fwps.org/dept/nutrition/elementary.htm My dd is in 3rd grade. She hates the school lunch menu. She thinks most of it is gross. She buys on pizza day and some times on traveling taco day (taco salad and fritos). Its about once a week, twice at the most that she buys. The do offer either fruit or veggies ever day, some days both. Some days its canned fruit, others fresh. Sometimes the veggie is cooked (corn), sometimes raw- like baby carrots. They also offer a salad choice each day- oriental chicken, italian, etc., but most of the kids seem to go with the hot meal rather then the salad.

School lunches are nothing like they were when we were kids. Where is the mashed potaotes and gravy? Or mac and cheese? Or toasted cheese sandwiches? They have about 6-8 items in our district and rotate between them.

We pay $2 for lunch. I have no idea how much the district is paying for the meals. I do know that we have a high % of free and reduced meal students at our school.

 

[pearlieq]

Here's a link to our local district. There are 2 lunch choices every day that are offered with 2 sides. One of the sides is always a fruit or vegetable (though I use the term loosely as they're usually canned).

Every day they also can choose a chef salad or sandwich of the day and fresh apples are always available.

http://www.oswego308.org/includes_schools/pdf/lunchmenus/sept_elementary.pdf

It's not perfect, but it's better than it was last year. I applaud you for noticing and trying to take action! I can't believe the crap they offer these kids--and we wonder why obesity is rising and kids are getting Type 2 diabetes! I always figured I'd do one day a week too, and send a decent packed lunch the rest of the days.

 

[minkydog]

Here's the lunch menus for Cobb County, GA.http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/departments/bs/bsfoodservices/SchoolMenuPages/index.htm

I have a special needs child who can't eat certain foods, textures, etc., and even he can get a well-balanced diet from these menus. If I had to send him with lunch every day, I don't know what i'd do. There is a limit to how much PBJ I'm willing to give him and it's so much easier for me for the school to feed him.

 

[kldmom2000]

Im sorry you feel this way.

Why not pack a lunch, if youre adament about what your child should and shouldnt be eating?

As I mentioned in my original post, I do pack her a lunch and only let her buy her lunch once per week if that-my concern is mainly for the other kids that are considered poverty level in our district (and there are a LOT) This may be the only meal they get each day-there are no vegetables at all on the entire months' menu and the only fruit offered is the canned variety in syrup. In today's day and age with the obesity epidemic and the fact that diabetes and most other "adult" diseases are now present in younger children at such a high rate, something has to be done to protect our kids. I grew up overweight and didn't know the first thing about eating healthy until I'd had my first child. I had high BP and weighed 254 lbs a few weeks after her birth. I got serious about my health and the health of my kids and I lost 125 lbs and am relatively healthy now. I don't want to see other kids struggle the way I did

Thanks though for the suggestion and believe me-that's what I'm doing nearly every day

 

[minnieandme]

My DS8 lunch ususally has 4 different things they can choose from. Everyday they offer a salad whether its tuna, chef or chicken strips and a sandwich. They are not allowed to have peanut butter in the schools anymore so they took that out last year. The other two choices change each day. For example today they are serving chicken sandwich, cereal in a sack, sandwich tray, tuna salad plate and the sides are baked beans, coleslaw, juice bar

Tomorrow it's chicken noodle soup with grilled cheese, sloppy joe, sandwich tray, chef salad and the sides are potato rounds, carrot sticks w/ dip, fruit crisp, saltines.

My son loves being able to choose something he likes to eat for that day which is good. I wish they did that for us when I went to school instead of being stuck eating something you don't like or not eating at all.