Lunch Time

Now that we are back in school, it's time to think about school lunches again. This is always an interesting topic to me. Kids love to buy school lunch, much of it gets thrown away, most aren't very healthy, there is so little tome to eat lunch during lunch time, it's expensive to but but it is also expensive to bring. As a mom and a morning kindergarten teacher, I am spared of the lunch dilemma for another year. Today, my class went on a tour of the school and we went through the cafeteria. I have no idea what was for lunch but it did smell good! Everyday when we leave school, Ella proclaims that she is starving as we walk by the cafeteria and wishes she could be in full day to have lunch at school. I know I avoided the dilemma of buying or bringing for this year but will have to face it next year. I have always been dead set against school lunch for many reasons. I don't have fond memories of eating it as a child. I remember throwing much of it out. As a teacher, I have never bought school lunch. Seeing the nutritional information of the containers behind the scenes has always turned me off. School lunch has a really bad rap for its nutritional value these days. I know there are always healthier options provided if your child decides to choose them but that decision without a parent can be very hard to make. I already know this will be a battle next year. Ella will want to buy hot lunch and everything inside of me will tell me not to let her. She is a picky eater but it seems that many school lunches are "kid friendly." Nuggets with several names like patty and popcorn and bites and fries and strips- all chicken nuggets though. And Dominoes pizza. Lots of pasta too. I truly think I could pack a better lunch for less money too. However, there is some fun and sense of freedom to carry a tray and tell the lunch clerk your name as you stand at the register. And to do this with friends.
I remember the days of buying lunch being the cool thing to do and also the years of bringing lunch being the cool thing.
I am excited about some schools taking the initiative to provide healthier school lunches. I found this article from our local news station. It is very interesting. I taught at a school that looked at Revolution Foods and opted not to use them because it was too much work. As a parent, I would love the option to buy a healthier lunch and know that my child is getting something with nutritional value. I would pay a little more for this. Would you pay more for a healthier lunch?
As a teacher, I always think that for many kids, a school lunch may be the best meal they get on any given day. I see many kids come to school without breakfast or eating junk for breakfast. I truly do believe it effects their academic ability and behavior. Many times packed lunches are full of empty calories as well. Maybe the hot lunch choice could be a better option.


http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=122184