how are the lunches?

[Anonymous]

My kids are at a Title I school that serves Chartwells. It looks pretty bad and my children refuse to eat it.

It's easy to get outraged when you see what's served up, but the alternative for many children is something they purchased off a snack cart or nothing at all.

I thought the breakfasts were particular bad, but I've learned to be less judgmental when I saw one little boy's alternative to a DCPS b'fast, which was two packs of bubble gum.

[Anonymous]

LOL. I ate one of those pancake/sausage on a stick things. Only recommended if you're really hungry.

[Anonymous]

on the flip side, i am concerned that my child will eat the food because she is junkfood junkie. (i've tried, trust me). i plan to send her a lunch, but i best she ends up loving everything on a stick.

[Anonymous]

It's easy to get outraged when you see what's served up, but the alternative for many children is something they purchased off a snack cart or nothing at all.

I thought the breakfasts were particular bad, but I've learned to be less judgmental when I saw one little boy's alternative to a DCPS b'fast, which was two packs of bubble gum.

This is precisely WHY I am outraged. This fat-laden, processed, sugary, calorie dense, nutrition poor food is the only hot food eaten by some of our city's children. We wonder why we have such an obesity epidemic?

How hard would it be to provide school lunches that are nutritious? Apparently it's harder than putting a man on the moon, since we've been discussing this about as long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It's easy to get outraged when you see what's served up, but the alternative for many children is something they purchased off a snack cart or nothing at all.

I thought the breakfasts were particular bad, but I've learned to be less judgmental when I saw one little boy's alternative to a DCPS b'fast, which was two packs of bubble gum.

This is precisely WHY I am outraged. This fat-laden, processed, sugary, calorie dense, nutrition poor food is the only hot food eaten by some of our city's children. We wonder why we have such an obesity epidemic?

How hard would it be to provide school lunches that are nutritious? Apparently it's harder than putting a man on the moon, since we've been discussing this about as long.

Not hard, just very expensive... alas, there are priorities and nutritious food does not make it to the top of the list

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's easy to get outraged when you see what's served up, but the alternative for many children is something they purchased off a snack cart or nothing at all.

I thought the breakfasts were particular bad, but I've learned to be less judgmental when I saw one little boy's alternative to a DCPS b'fast, which was two packs of bubble gum.

This is precisely WHY I am outraged. This fat-laden, processed, sugary, calorie dense, nutrition poor food is the only hot food eaten by some of our city's children. We wonder why we have such an obesity epidemic?

How hard would it be to provide school lunches that are nutritious? Apparently it's harder than putting a man on the moon, since we've been discussing this about as long.

Not hard, just very expensive... alas, there are priorities and nutritious food does not make it to the top of the list

which is exactly why health care "reform" is a circular argument. no one wants to address the root causes of rising health care costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The food is horrible. My DD would refuse to eat and go hungry before eating that shlop. She came home after wanting to try the pizza and said it was the worst ever. I packed a lunch, after school snack, and 2 bottled waters everyday for the entire school year. The water fountains were filthy and I never saw anyone ever clean them. Furthermore, I would love to know when the last time the water filtration was checked in any DCPS.

The water fountains at the schools were closed and checked 2 years ago- I think it was city-wide, I saw the same thing at schools across town I was at for sports events. It was winter 2007 I think. However, I tell my kids that the water fountains are strep throat factories and we pack water bottles everyday too. But as far as the lead question- i think they are okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:anyone have experience with chartwell's "fresh" program? apparently it provides fresher food, but it is only available to schools that have adequate kitchen facilities. just wondering how people are finding that program.

My dd started at Deal this year which has a brand new cafeteria-- I think it may be the "fresh" program you refer to. they cook the food there, but it is still processed- its not like its fresh vegetables. But the menu looks reasonably junior high healthy-- a lot of beans, tuna, turkey- not a ton of meat, and a salad every day-- options. I told her she can get lunch there but if she starts to get unhealthy ( ie-gain weight- but I did not say that to her) we will switch to lunch from home. My elementary school kids have no interest in the lunches and they are pretty gross. (all prepackaged and heated up- there is no kitchen).

Ps The Deal Principal says she would like to have a different food situation, but it just cannot be a priority right now.