School bans lunches from home

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

I would throw a hissy fit if my kid's district tried to pull this, and I don't even have the kids yet (almost certified foster parent here). There is no way that the processed, bulk crud that they call food can be more nutritious than what I can make at home. And who the heck is the district to tell me what I must feed my kids? In America???

OP is right, this has gone way too far. This is out of control.

BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN · Apr 12, 2011

way too far, in my opinion. Yes, we are all striving to keep children healthy and teaching proper nutrition is part of the bargin, but when it comes down to it, the parent is the final answer. People must be allowed to make their own choices in life, the schools/work places/government can not - should not - be allowed to make these choices for us.

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

If this were my child (she's only 2 now, but for future reference), she would be moving school districts. That is absolutely ridiculous. My child is a somewhat picky eater and I'd be FURIOUS if she had to go hungry rather than not eat something she didn't like that the cafeteria made. As long as it was something she liked, I don't have a problem with her eating in the cafeteria, but if she doesn't like something, she doesn't like it. This is just absurd.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Apr 12, 2011

What boils my brisket is that parents already expect schools to practically raise their kids - and this just fosters that idea....

speaking of fostering - congrats purple scrubs on your upcoming foray into parenthood!

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

Thanks, Flare! We are so excited about it!

Jolie, BSN · Apr 13, 2011

When I first saw this headline, I assumed I was going to read a story about yet another misguided and over-zealous attempt to protect a single child from an allergen at school. I was flabbergasted and outraged at the actual story. How dare a school board or other administrative body presume to know better than individual parents what is best for their child. And how dare they subject even a single family to an "unfunded mandate" requiring the purchase of $2.25 lunch at school, when anyone can fix something nutritious and tasty at home for far less.

My youngest daughter (13) was a preemie and has had lifelong feeding and nutrition issues. She developed food aversions and we struggled mightily to keep her properly nourished as a young child. Had we been required to buy school lunch for her, she most certainly would have gone from breakfast (at home) to dinner (at home) without eating a morsel in between. And we are not unique. I know of a number of families of seemingly "normal" children who have food issues that would not be addressed by eating a forced school lunch.

It's time for the Nanny State to pack it in.

RNCoastiewife · Apr 13, 2011

What schools serve (in my area anyway) aren't the healthiest. Believe me, what I pack my kids is way healthier that the crap they serve.

SchoolNurseBSN · Apr 13, 2011

My daughter, 13 has not touched cafeteria food since she was 8! She takes her lunch every day. She would (as many other kids) not eat at all if not given the choice. We all know a hungry tummy and low blood sugar impedes the learning process.

allnurses Guide · Apr 13, 2011

I sit with my son 3 days a week in the cafeteria at his elementary school (I'm also working :) ). I'm a new school district nurse and I'm appalled at how much waste there is from school lunches.

The kids throw most of it away. And it is not very nutritious at all.

Nanny state indeed - I send my son with his own lunch most of the time.

The only rule we have for lunches brought from home is no soda and no candy.

sparrowRN · Apr 22, 2011

I have seen what they serve at my kids school and that is why they pack