Middle School Lunch Lacks Gluten-Free Options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So called “gluten sensitivity” is a fairly recent phenomenon, and schools need time to adjust their menus.

For a documented allergy, yes, for a preference no.

[Anonymous]

Amazing to see how many morons are on here advocating for doing nothing to make more equity for those with actual medical conditions. Gluten sensitivity is absolutely a well-documented medical condition affecting more than those with Celiac disease. Those with autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis, have shown benefit from a gluten-free diet.

If making lunches more modular is such a high cost that it isn't worth it, then it would similarly just be better to cut all options for all lunches that aren't for those in economic need.

[Anonymous]

Nut allergies are a lot more common and MCPS does not accommodate that either. People with celiac don't experience anaphylaxis if they eat something with gluten.

I have a child with celiac so I am not minimizing this issue but from a system wide perspective MCPS should address nut allergies first and MCPS has many other issues to deal with so I'm not sure why this would be a priority.

I agree with one PP said they should do this for kids on free and reduced lunch but I don't think it should be a priority for those who can afford to pack lunch. We do because we can and it's safer anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nut allergies are a lot more common and MCPS does not accommodate that either. People with celiac don't experience anaphylaxis if they eat something with gluten.

I have a child with celiac so I am not minimizing this issue but from a system wide perspective MCPS should address nut allergies first and MCPS has many other issues to deal with so I'm not sure why this would be a priority.

I agree with one PP said they should do this for kids on free and reduced lunch but I don't think it should be a priority for those who can afford to pack lunch. We do because we can and it's safer anyway.

Based on your logic, they should cut more lunch options then to focus on free and reduced meals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no way a school cafeteria could provide celiac safe options. It's too much to expect.

They should cater to each child's uniqueness. Like Starbucks with all the crazy drink orders... It's a matter of self-expression.

[Anonymous]

Celiac parent here. Always packed lunch even through a kitchen Reno. Lots of fruit, crudite, cheese sticks, nuts and crackers but lunch nonetheless. At school if she wants more she’d get chips or an ice cream cup. In high school there was also the occasional door dash order. I would not trust that school lunch could ever be truly gluten free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no way a school cafeteria could provide celiac safe options. It's too much to expect.

They should cater to each child's uniqueness. Like Starbucks with all the crazy drink orders... It's a matter of self-expression.

Exactly. Equity!!

[Anonymous]

So you can afford a pricey kitchen remodel, but you can’t afford a second mini fridge for lunches? Just pack your kids own lunch.

Your child also has a locker so maybe think about sending shelf stable snacks they can keep in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you can afford a pricey kitchen remodel, but you can’t afford a second mini fridge for lunches? Just pack your kids own lunch.

Your child also has a locker so maybe think about sending shelf stable snacks they can keep in there.

You are too dense to understand that if your house is being remodeled, you dont have space for a fridge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you can afford a pricey kitchen remodel, but you can’t afford a second mini fridge for lunches? Just pack your kids own lunch.

Your child also has a locker so maybe think about sending shelf stable snacks they can keep in there.

You are too dense to understand that if your house is being remodeled, you dont have space for a fridge

Except that you can plug in a small one or even an apartment model in another room. Done it. NBD. If you can't even do that then you've probably temporarily moved out for the reno anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So called “gluten sensitivity” is a fairly recent phenomenon, and schools need time to adjust their menus.

For a documented allergy, yes, for a preference no.

90% of the people asking for this is simply a preference

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you can afford a pricey kitchen remodel, but you can’t afford a second mini fridge for lunches? Just pack your kids own lunch.

Your child also has a locker so maybe think about sending shelf stable snacks they can keep in there.

You are too dense to understand that if your house is being remodeled, you dont have space for a fridge

You’re telling me that around your house you don’t have a spare outlet or an outlet you could free up or you can put in a mini fridge? Are you so dense that you can’t think outside of the box or find extra room? You seriously lack imagination, which is why I’m not surprised you don’t know, how to pack your own lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you can afford a pricey kitchen remodel, but you can’t afford a second mini fridge for lunches? Just pack your kids own lunch.

Your child also has a locker so maybe think about sending shelf stable snacks they can keep in there.

You are too dense to understand that if your house is being remodeled, you dont have space for a fridge

You’re telling me that around your house you don’t have a spare outlet or an outlet you could free up or you can put in a mini fridge? Are you so dense that you can’t think outside of the box or find extra room? You seriously lack imagination, which is why I’m not surprised you don’t know, how to pack your own lunch.

Basically, no. Space constraints are massive at this time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you can afford a pricey kitchen remodel, but you can’t afford a second mini fridge for lunches? Just pack your kids own lunch.

Your child also has a locker so maybe think about sending shelf stable snacks they can keep in there.

You are too dense to understand that if your house is being remodeled, you dont have space for a fridge

You’re telling me that around your house you don’t have a spare outlet or an outlet you could free up or you can put in a mini fridge? Are you so dense that you can’t think outside of the box or find extra room? You seriously lack imagination, which is why I’m not surprised you don’t know, how to pack your own lunch.

Basically, no. Space constraints are massive at this time

Nobody believes you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you can afford a pricey kitchen remodel, but you can’t afford a second mini fridge for lunches? Just pack your kids own lunch.

Your child also has a locker so maybe think about sending shelf stable snacks they can keep in there.

You are too dense to understand that if your house is being remodeled, you dont have space for a fridge

You’re telling me that around your house you don’t have a spare outlet or an outlet you could free up or you can put in a mini fridge? Are you so dense that you can’t think outside of the box or find extra room? You seriously lack imagination, which is why I’m not surprised you don’t know, how to pack your own lunch.

Basically, no. Space constraints are massive at this time

OP - you have managed to do the impossible and get consensus on this site. Everyone thinks you were being ridiculous, including folks who have kids with actual celiac, people who have been through large-scale kitchen renovations, and just normal folks who have somehow figured out how to pack lunches for their kids.

Congrats.