Jamie Oliver

[kacaju]

Being a lunch lady I can't tell you how many kids refuse to take a *full meal* I am not even talking about processed food (that they all take!!)

Today, I have a choice of
1% chocolate milk
1% milk
skim milk
100% apple juice
100% fruit juice

Today I also had a choice of
apple slices (these are prepacked, because they would be brown if we pre sliced them)
orange slices (I cut them myself)
whole apple
whole orange
whole pear

I can't tell you how many times (times the 3 lunches) I had to *remind* a child to take a drink. ANY drink they can take a milk AND a juice.

They can take up to 2 fruits again, I had to *remind* a child to take a fruit. Many kids will go back and take at least 1 of the above. There are still plenty who refuse to take any.

These are good choices yet why do the kids refuse to take them?? The kids argue with me.. I ate fruit at breakfast...I don't eat fruit, I don't like to drink. They have a million and 1 excuses as to why they can't take the healthy option.

 

[kacaju]

I find it interesting that some of you seem to live in areas where the lunch ladies have control over the menu. In my district, all menus are set (and I assume all purchasing is done) by a central office, and the lunch ladies couldn't decide to serve something different even if they wanted to.

exactly. I have no control over the lunch menu

 

[TB'sWidow]

Sorry, around here I have never heard of a lunch staff that only worked three hours....
So, I find your comments to be, possibly, self-incriminating... and an 'excuse'.

Heck, our lunch lines in our elementary schools run for over two full hours, The staff is at the school before the kids ever arrive, and they are there until the lunch facilities are cleaned and shut down. I estimate 7.5 hours. Which is standard, full time, full benefits, work hours for our public service employees here. ( I know, my husband actually works for the State.)

I see a huge problem (and a huge 'excuse') in what you have just posted.

Well you dont have to believe me but it is the truth 4 of us only work 3hrs the main cook works 4 & the kithcen manager only works 6. I don't get full benefits and instead of condemning me for what I do why don't you offer a solution. I all for fresh foods and I'm happy to prepare it but theres now way it can be done in the time alloted and I also forgot to add we have to also do kitchen cleanup in that time, put orders away. etc. Your post is another reason why I am mainly a lurker on these boards. Mary