school lunch rip off

busiscoming2

I work lunchtimes in a primary school, our kids get a choice of usually 2 dinners and the baked spud option. They get a whole spud (good size) and generally tuna mayo or cheese topping with salad. Pudding isn't always so good, usually seems to be youghurt or fruit but can be sponge or rice pudding.
I personally feel a main meal at teatime at home is the best option.

lolababy

First of all contact the school supervisor of school meals. If you dont get any joy contact the council. Schools have an obligation to ensure that meals are nutritional and of decent portion according to the age of the child.

KellyWelly

Our school does jacket potatoes on a Wednesday - they get a whole potato with cheese, beans, tuna mayo (they choose and can have all 3 if they want) with a salad, bread followed by cake and custard and fruit or yoghurt. As far as I know they are allowed to eat as much salad, bread and fruit as they like but they are only allowed seconds once everyone has eaten.

I'd be unhappy to spend £1.70 on half a spud and a spoonful of beans as well.

shoppaholic_returns

I'd go the packed lunch option, if you can, and save yourself worrying what he's had,you can provide plenty of good quality and value, and fill him up! I know its a cold meal,but why not make a batch of soup in a flask?To go with the sarnies,sounds a more fulfilling option to me.

Minxy_Bella

My kid's school dinners cost £1.80 and there is always a good choice of healthy hot food. (Another child has Fasta Pasta pretty much every day which is £1).

Like most things, the service varies hugely between LEAs - if you're not happy with what is provided, then vote with your feet (which is what I did before the schools contracted a new supplier!)

At least with a packed lunch you can see/control what your child is eating but I do like mine to have a hot meal in Autumn/Winter (don't mention thermos flasks of soup to me!!!! I've never had one returned to me intact yet, after three children! LOL)

phunkles

bride_on_a_budget wrote: »

we do get a menu sent home, but its often changed at the last minute

todays option was:
ham and pineapple pizza and scoop beans (all gone by the time son got there)
1/2 jacket potato with scoop beans
small heart shape biscuit
small pot fruit

small cup of water (i give him extra for fruit juice)

they normally have a 2 choices of a main meal but by the time my sons class gets there all thats left is the potato.

i would give him packed lunch but he doesnt like bread or pastry or fruit but loves veg
bride

Could you not give him raw veg sticks?or a pasta?or a cous cous?or pitta breads?or a wrap? or even a cold homemade pizza with veg on it instead? I think your getting ripped off. Seriously how much does the cheapest spuds cost and id be willing to say that they wont be heinz beans on the half a spud - But that amount for a 10year old I know a 6 year old who would still be hungry after that,
Do the school not rotate the classes round so that all the pupils get the option of both food choices?

jayII

I'd buy a 'food flask' and give him pasta, homemade soup, and other simple hot meals in Winter, pasta salad etc in Summer. My DD loves pasta with a passion, but isn't keen on bread, so I used to keep a jar of Ragu in the fridge and make pasta n tomato sauce with cheese or ham some days, and soup other days. Quick cook pasta is a godsend! Hummus and veg sticks, with a scone and/or muffin are good too.

Janepig

Just out of interest, all of the posters who have mentioned that they're dissatisfied with the meals, are the meals in those schools provided by a private company or the LEA?

I pay £6.80 per week for DD to have meals 4 days, she has sandwiches on a Wednesday because that's roast/sausage dinner day and she's not terribly keen. I know the food is of a good standard because MIL was the cook up until last year! I certainly don't think it's good enough that the last children sitting get no choice.

Jxx

moggitymog

we pay £2.10 per day but the food does appear to be getting worse, seriously considering pack up, only went for school dinners to start with because i increased my hours to full time and don't always have time to cook.

bride_on_a_budget

the menu is set by the local council and the food is cooked in the school.

i must admit when the school was having a refit the local pub cooked the meals and drove them to the school, my son loved it then big meals.

well i went shopping and for £10 (usual weekly school lunch cost) i managed to buy : 1 pk 6 brown rolls, 1 pk wholemeal mini pitta breads, 1 pk ready cooked chicken pieces, 6pk frube yoghurts, 1 pk 6 healthy crips bites, 6 small cartons fruit juice, 4 carrots, pk mini cocktail sausages.

came in under £10 with some of it left for next week.

i think he will be having pack lunches more often

his school do rotate the classes so each class gets go in 1st but we find this happens when it is a rubbish food day ie lentil casserole/ 3 bean chilli.

thanks for all of your comments
bride