Child not eating school dinner

notanewuser

onlyroz wrote: »

But you're not a 5-year-old child, are you? You have a free choice of what you eat because you're preparing it yourself. Did your parents give you a free choice of what you ate when you were 5?

And we're talking about school dinners here - not some exotic dishes from different cultures with names you can't pronounce. School dinners are designed to be palatable by as broad a range of children as possible. Sure, you can argue about their nutritional value but I doubt school caterers make a habit of filling their menu with outlandish flavours.

But where there is a choice available, shouldn't that choice be given? Especially where that choice will save food waste?

The menu provided by DD's school to parents includes 2 "proteins" (I use the term loosely), 2 or 3 carbs and 2 veg or salad every day. The only thing there isn't choice about is pudding. On each day there is something in each category that DD would eat without objection. But she won't be given that choice. I'm not the only unhappy parent so the school may well have to address this in the coming weeks.

*max*

WestonDave wrote: »

Nope - and whilst I'm all in favour of my kids trying new foods (and they generally get a reward if they do, even if they don't like it), we took one look at this term's menu and thought !!!!!!! Mondays were Cauliflower, Spinach and Tofu curry (for the veggie and meat option)

_pale__pale_

I'm not particularly fussy, but that sounds absolutely revolting!

notanewuser

*max* wrote: »

_pale__pale_

I'm not particularly fussy, but that sounds absolutely revolting!

I'm a veggie of 25 years and I wouldn't eat tofu!

*max*

notanewuser wrote: »

I'm a veggie of 25 years and I wouldn't eat tofu!

With cauliflower and spinach in a curry too! I really think I'd rather go hungry, and I LOVE my food!

notanewuser

*max* wrote: »

With cauliflower and spinach in a curry too! I really think I'd rather go hungry, and I LOVE my food!

Ah, now cauliflower and spinach curry I could really go for (provided it's tomato free)!

seven-day-weekend

notanewuser wrote: »

Unintentionally, I would add.

You don't think it's reasonable to ask a school to allow all pupils (whose meals are being paid for) to choose what they eat and not cover it with gravy?

I think ideally they should be able to chose within the menu there is and have a choice of whether they have gravy or not.

Unfortunately, many don't have time to do this. (Can you imagine how long it would take to serve 40 five-year-olds, all making a choice?:eek:) They could still have an option with the gravy, however.

onlyroz

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I think ideally they should be able to chose within the menu there is and have a choice of whether they have gravy or not.

Unfortunately, many don't have time to do this. (Can you imagine how long it would take to serve 40 five-year-olds, all making a choice?:eek:) They could still have an option with the gravy, however.

At our school they make the kids choose first thing in the morning what they want. I think they get a meat choice, a veggie choice, a jacket potato choice or a sandwich/wrap.

notanewuser

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I think ideally they should be able to chose within the menu there is and have a choice of whether they have gravy or not.

Unfortunately, many don't have time to do this. (Can you imagine how long it would take to serve 40 five-year-olds, all making a choice?:eek:) They could still have an option with the gravy, however.

They give the 5 year olds free choice. DD is in nursery (so 3-4 year olds) and there are 6 members of staff with 36 children at lunchtime.

seven-day-weekend

So if the children have choice, what's the problem? If the OP's son chooses not to eat anything, then that is the choice they have made. I can't believe there would be NOTHING they liked.

If they want jam sandwiches, then hard luck!

notanewuser

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

So if the children have choice, what's the problem? If the OP's son chooses not to eat anything, then that is the choice they have made. I can't believe there would be NOTHING they liked.

If they want jam sandwiches, then hard luck!

No, they don't all have choice. I thought my posts were fairly clear, but to surmise:

* We're in Wales so no free meals. Meals cost £2.25 per day
* school has policy of all nursery and reception children having school dinners
* school dinner menu shows a choice, but it's become apparent this week that the nursery children are given no choice. Their food is decided by the school cook and plated up for them.
* DD is not a fussy eater, provided she's not presented with mashed potato or gravy. Mashed potato features 3 times a week and gravy once a week. On the other days, while there is 1 thing she would eat happily in each protein/carb/veg category she/we won't be given a choice.
*It's likely then that she'll not eat some/most days of the week. This is a waste of my money (£2.25 per day), food, and DD will likely have to last a whole day at school with one piece of fruit (supplied by us).
* Staff response is that they "reward children for eating their dinners" and that they "don't pander to fussy eaters". This attitude worries me and at least 2 other mothers.
* The meals offered aren't going to win any nutritional awards as it is.