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Do you pack your child's school lunch? Why or why not?

post #1 of 12
7/25/12 at 4:58am
Thread Starter 

I just attended the School Nutrition Association's Annual National Conference in Denver and learned a lot about the new nutritional standards that will be put in place for any school district participating in the school lunch program.  They were very impressive! (photos HERE) It's hard to believe how any district could be serving non-nutritious lunches anymore.  New guidelines include sodium limits, trans-fat limits, more fruits and veggies (and more variety), and requirements for whole grains.  Most of the things they are now requiring will be healthier than what my kids eat at a typical lunch from home.

 

My main reason for buying school lunch is the convenience factor.  Secondly, I don't think I could pack a lunch for the price.  Our school lunches are around $2 each (can't remember exactly).  

 

What are your reasons for packing lunches from home, or purchasing school lunch?

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post #2 of 12
7/25/12 at 5:35am

I pack Ds lunch because he is picky. He buys his lunch maybe once a week, when it is something I know he will eat. The lunches at his school are pretty balanced and I am surprised by the vegetable and fruit choices. I never in my life expected to see some of them on a menu for preschoolers in a public school. A lot of the kids eat them too.

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post #3 of 12
7/25/12 at 5:37am
I let my kids choose if they want school lunch or not.
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post #4 of 12
7/25/12 at 5:54am

They bring their own because school lunches are gross.

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post #5 of 12
7/25/12 at 5:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mamax3 View Post

They bring their own because school lunches are gross.

 

What makes them "gross"?

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post #6 of 12
7/25/12 at 5:58am
I pack their lunches 98% of the time mainly because they are not crazy about what is served. This year my oldest will be going to middle school and I believe their choices are a little more expanded so we shall see.

Our lunches are $2.25, I guess I never have really broken down the exact cost but pretty sure packing comes out ahead with cost....I don't do pre-packaged items...
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post #7 of 12
7/25/12 at 6:00am

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kim View Post

 

What makes them "gross"?

Not healthy. A lot of high fat, processed stuff. Chicken nuggets, french fries, pizza, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.

 

For a while we had a woman who came in and made all the lunches from scratch, but they had to raise the cost and parents complained. They switched to the company that provides lunches for all the public schools.


Edited by mamax3 - 7/25/12 at 6:04am
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post #8 of 12
7/25/12 at 6:01am
I pack because we're a small charter and don't have a cafeteria so all the kids bring their own. We did have a choice at the beginning of the year to have a "Dinners on Demand" brought in, but it was $5 for a huge lunch that DD couldn't finish and wasn't worth it. They went out of business in winter so it was no longer an option anyway.
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post #9 of 12
7/25/12 at 6:03am

rolleyes.gif Posted in the wrong place.


Edited by mamax3 - 7/25/12 at 6:06am
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post #10 of 12
7/25/12 at 6:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mamax3 View Post

Not healthy. A lot of high fat, processed stuff. Chicken nuggets, french fries, pizza, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.

 

 

Does your district participate in the national school lunch program?  I was surprised to learn that a lot of those typically over processed foods like pizza, nuggets, etc. have to meet the new standards too.  So, pizza will have whole grain crust, lite cheese, low-sodium sauce, etc.  Nuggets are made with whole grain batter and baked, not fried.  They sound like junk, but are healthier versions of it (more here).

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