Free School Meals Help Please

Goreegoree

Can any one help. My kids have being going to a school that does not offer hot meals and all the kids bring in their own meals. Since 2009 my circumstances changed and I have been eligible for free school meals. However due to the school not offering any school meals I continued to make their own school lunches. I investigated and found out that i was able to have a school lunch from a list of cold sandwiches but was told hardly noone applies for them so I left it and that the menu was not very appetising.

My kids have now entered junior school together and have been encouraged by the school to have free meals. I have approved and they get a cold sandwhich with different basic fillings as tuna, cucumber & tomato, cheese spread, grated cheese and ham. With a yogurt and a piece of fruit but no drink. My son is fine and is eating the sandwhiches however my daughter is quite fussy and only eats tuna & jam which they do not provide (as its not healthy).

Now my problem is ive said we can try giving my daughter tuna everyday for the time being until she gets bored. However they offer no drink carton and give them tescos cheap own brand adult yogurt. And the piece of fruit for the past days have been ones that they do not like. NOw i want to know what are my rights as I am sure the school needs to provide a carton drink and also the yogurt is disgusting & they have both refused to eat it as its not the flavours they like.

I was informed by a lawyer friend that I may be able to approach the local council and inform them that I have not had school meals due to the school not providing hot meals and therfore have had to make my own sandwhiches for the kids even though i am entitled to free meals and see if they gave me the amount of money for them as the menu is not that appealing either!!!

Has anyone had any experience or similar of this kind any help will be appreciated but i am sure they can add a drink but are spending the minimalist in yogurts and no juice :mad:drink!!!!!

suelizab

Plain water?

SingleSue

I send mine in with extra money for a drink.......

jolfc

as a school cook i can say that we only provide water to drink with school lunches and not juice etc.

chunkychocky

We are not permitted to send in any drinks other than water at my child's school and that is for the times when they are not at lunch. At lunchtime there is a jug of water on each table for the children to pour themselves as much as they like. Any parent who sends in anything other than water is told off!

rosalie-lavender

Water with the cooked meals here too.

I think in your shoes though, I would be tempted to approach the council and ask what the council considers the school should be supplying. The council will be paying the school/catering company a set rate for each meal and given there will be no cooking costs they ought to be able to do a bit better than the cheapest value yogurt.

DaisyFlower

There is no legel requirement to give school children a carton drink!!!

Whats wrong with an own brand yoghurt? Given you are not oaying for the lunch you have no right to comment on the brands or state they should be pampering to your childrens preferences.

Be very thankful that the state provides this option for non workers rather than talk to lawyers.

McKneff

Water is far better for them than sugary drinks anyway.

cutestkids

Schools are not allowed to supply anything other than water or milk with meals here, I think this is the norm.

To be honest the children are getting a sandwich you have given 4 different options which are available, fruit and a yogurt, that is more than adequate for lunch along with a drink of water.

As for the yogurt being cheap, I really do not see your problem here, the cheap yogurts are fine I buy them for my family, often they actually have less additives and other rubbish in them than the better known brands.

As for the children not liking the fruit they are offered I am afraid that is tough.

Your biggest problem is fussy children I would much rather my child was offered a cheese sandwich than a jam sandwich.

As for the Adult yogurt comment there is no such thing yogurt is yogurt all be it some of daft pictures that appeal to kids on the front but it still is the same yogurt in the pot.

GrungeMeister

I do think that in Winter especially a hot meal might be more palatable sometimes. But your children won't die for the wont of a hot lunchtime meal. Nor are they legally entitled to a carton drink, although our children are offered a glass of milk or fruit juice (non aspartame) with their meal plus unlimited water, bread, fruit, salad and vegetables.

Our local primary always offers a choice between starters, main meals, desserts etc ... but they can't accommodate the fussiness of every child, instead they aim to provide variety and a balanced, nutritional meal. Sometimes your kids will be served things they don't want to eat ... we all went through that, they won't die.

So I think you have a legitimate issue about the lack of hot meals. But chasing the council for financial compensation ? Dream on and stop being quite so ungrateful, it's not like you're paying for anything here.

sulkisu

Just make sure that they have a decent healthy hot breakfast and a hot dinner when they get home. If value yoghurts are such an issue, buy the ones that you want plus cartons of juice or whatever else you feel that they must have, and pack them off with it. Many parents do the same. The fact that they don't like the flavours on offer or the choice of fruit is just tough. If hot meals were provided and they didn't like the choice on offer, what would you expect the school to do then?