http://hotair.com/archives/2011/04/11/chicago-school-to-kids-you-cant-bring-lunch-from-home/It seems from the short time that I have been on this forum that the majority of members that spend much time on Chit-Chat are past the time of having little children in school... but maybe you, like me have grandchildren and can discuss this with some degree of knowledge.
First let me say that I was in Grade (1st through 8th) and High Schools (9th through 12th) from 1945 until my Graduation from High School in 1957...
I ate at the school cafeteria in the 4 different schools I attended during this time (one in Chicago and 3 in Jasper County, Illinois)
In none of these schools was I required to take something I did not want and I was allowed to eat all I wanted. I was expected to eat what I took, but not punished if I didn't... just encouraged to only take what I would eat..
I fondly remember Thursdays in my 5th, 6th and 7th Grades because that was Chili Day. chili with meat (real meat by the way) Crackers (soda or oyster) Celery & Carrot Sticks and the specialty of Thursdays was Peanut Butter/honey (mixed at the school) and Canned peaches.... WOW what a lunch. The cook, Mrs Jenkins would watch as three of us boys would just pig out on that meal, and finally she would bring the large Pot of Chili over to our table, give us a ladle and tell us to let her know when we were done.
At the Grade school across the street from my house they have (of course) a selection (the selection was not what was available) the selection was that you had the option to eat it or not. As far as I know Home lunches are not banned... but I do not know how many take advantage of that selection.
I have 4 Great Grand children that arrive at my house at 5:30 in the morning (father goes to work at 6am and drops them off) I try, unsuccessfully to stay asleep while they TRY to keep quiet... My wife then gives them a glass of milk and maybe cereal or a snack Bar, and on days she really feels good, she will fry bacon (TURKEY OF COURSE.. BLAAAAHHHHHHHHHH ) Eggs and Toast...
This thrills them as they are eligible to get free breakfasts and "HATE" them. They eat Lunch at the school (But pay for the lunches) and for the most part hate them also... NOW understand 3 of the 4 will eat sticks if you put Ketchup on them. They are not particularly picky eaters at any time unless they don't feel well....
My wife and Mentored students at the school (she a little girl me a little boy) and as a treat for doing that we got to eat lunch there on the day we mentored.... WOW WOW WOW..... I could hardly wait to get into line with my partner..... HOW anyone can screw up Tater tots, Mystery Meat and Canned fruit cocktail is way beyond me, but they accomplished it without a problem...
Then when the lunch period was over, each child marched over to the "Turn in the utensils" are where they scraped or threw away whatever they did not eat which was generally somewhere around 95% of what was originally on their plate. We were with just two classes (3rd & 4th grades) but when we left there the barrels were actually running over with food that had been thrown away.
Now.. here are two simple solutions to the problem..
1) Allow Lunches to be brought from home.... PROBLEM what if little sally allergic cannot be near Peanuts....OOOOH OOOOH... isolate little sally allergic, do not forbid children to not bring peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
2) We have two Pizza places,three Hamburger places and 2 places that have chicken strips.................ALL of these places have take out as well as delivery.... STRIKE a deal with all of them to alternate days when they deliver the correct number of meals "TOTALLY UNHEALTHY IF YOU LISTEN TO MICHELLE" But dammit the kids will eat it and not be hungry all day.......
A few thoughts from the "Peanut" gallery will be expected and appreciated..
Mike