Legitimate complaint about school lunch?

[#1 Pocahontas]

You guys are making me nervous. My oldest is in kindergarten and will eat in the cafeteria next year. To those whose kids take their lunches do you have any good lunch boxes you'd suggest. I saw a picture once of a kids lunch tote that was tupperware like and held both hot and cold things together in separate sections. I have no idea what is was called though.

 

[Frantasmic]

I would report it to the principal.

One thing that is not mentioned is that the lunch workers probably get a free lunch as part of their compensation. I've volunteered at the Salvation Army to serve Sunday lunches on occasion. The paid kitchen workers/cooks eat there also. Let's just say there is a very sizeable difference between the workers/cooks portions and the residents at the Salvation Army.

I wouldn't be surprised if this happens frequently at your child's school that some of the workers are taking sizeable portions and I bet some of it goes home to feed their own families as well.

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

Just wanted to mention though- you can't guarantee your kid gets a good lunch, either way. My DS who is 12- will often take his lunch to school and then tosses what he doesn't want to eat (fruit, sandwich- whatever). If he has change in his pocket, I'm POSITIVE he uses it for the junk shack (snack shack- yeah, right- it's just plain junk!). So whether the kids get hot or cold lunch- if they don't want to eat things, they won't.

I would write a letter about this to your school- really, it needs to be fixed completely- not just bumping your daughter to the front of the line. ALL of the kids should be offered the whole menu-you'd think they'd have a little leftover not end up completely short every day!

 

[EllaDisney]

When I was in school, they did a lunch count in the morning----teacher would say "Raise your hand if you're going to lunch" and she'd send the count of ones eating to the lunchroom. That way they knew how much food to make.

Does your daughter's school do this too?

 

[jacobsmom]

I work for our public school as a noon supervisor. Most often we have teachers or other employees who don't decide until lunchtime that they want to eat and end up taking 2 main courses, piles of their favorite things or whatever. That's frustrating. It's also frustrating though when kids pile their trays full of food, only to throw it away. Should you call or email? Absolutely. You will get much farther if you speak NICELY to the people at the other end. Nice will get you so far!

 

[irene_dsc]

Can I just say, I think it is cool that your kid is *complaining* that she isn't getting her fruit & veggies? I think you've gotten some good ideas for investigating and addressing the issue, too.

We don't actually have a typical hot lunch program at our school - instead, the PTO has a program with some local restaurants, and they rotate 8 different lunches throughout the year, on Wednesdays and Thursdays only. You have to sign up before the year starts, and pay for all of them ahead of time. Ds is signed up for about half of the choices. It's relatively annoying because you have to do it all at once, and keep track of which days you signed up for, but at least I've never heard of them running out of food! (It's also a lot more expensive than the $1.75 someone mentioned!) (And no refunds if your kid is home sick, etc.) Otoh, I love having one or 2 days a week of not packing a lunch.

 

[Tiggerfansmom]

Our school eliminates the whole problem....They do not have full service cafeteria, only a "cafatorium" (cafe and auditorium, and anything else they can think of... ). So, lunch is ordered a month and a half in advance, and paid for. Then, on lunch day, kids get pre made up tray with ordered lunch. They still have to wolf it down in 15-20 min, but, at least they are getting what I paid for. It doesn't always taste as good as it sounded though, and he hates waiting in line, so we have been skipping it the last couple of months.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I second the idea to call the Nutrition Director. If that does nothing, go to the School Board. Even if they do a count in the morning, they should still be able to provide a hot lunch for everyone that wants one. That morning count is not always going to be correct!

 

[undertheradar]

In our district of about 15,000 students, they have consolidated services. Food is prepared at 3 main kitchens(high schools) and delivered to the middle and elementary schools to be kept in warmers and chillers until lunchtime. It is very possible that food can run out. Our 3 children do not buy lunch. My hs son says that the lines to get a drink can be 30 minutes long!

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Just recently I too had to call the Nutrition Director. My daughter was diagnosed w/Irritable Bowel Syndrome & had trouble w/Milk. Sometimes she is ok w/it, but for breakfast on cereal, then morning snack & then lunch - she is doubled over. They told me at first she can ask for juice & if they have it she can have it. But they don't always have juice in the back.

Then one of the lunch ladies told her it was against school policy - they have the nutrition guidlines & she can't not have milk. I might have to take you into talk to the principal - we can't let this happen.

Then she was told that she had to pay extra for juice, even if she wasn't taking milk.

Then I called the director & said what the heck is going on.... My 7 year old daughter is being threatened by a cafeteria worker with sending her to the principal, you are trying to get more money out of her & you want her to eat your Nacho lunch w/no drink???? The director seemed oblivious to any of these conversations & said if she has any more problems to specifically ask for her & she would handle them. Like a 7 year old can "handle" things on her own w/adults that intimidate her????

She mostly takes her own lunch and she too only gets 20 minutes or less to eat. 1/2 hour total from when they leave their room, get their lunches, sit down & eat. Yeah right! She rarely has time to eat everything & is like an eating machine when she gets home!

 

[npmommie]

I need to allow DS to have juice to drink with his lunch.
He has to have milk.
He can't drink milk. It makes him sick.
He has to have milk.
He can't drink milk.
It is mandated.
My DS has to have something to drink with his lunch.
He has milk.
He can't drink milk!
Blah..Blah..Yadda..Yadda
So what your telling me is that DS has to take the milk, you just aren't going to allow him enough time to drink it!!

This is crazy, not only are there people with allergies, but there are many Vegan in the world who do not drink milk.
I know someone here in my town, they are Vegan and she had major issues with the school trying to force milk into her child.
crazy. i see no place for government in the raising of our children. but thats a whole nother issue!