Free breakfast and lunch at all schools, all year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I know that because my kids have been in those schools for years now. Pyle Middle School barely had a cafeteria staff (i think one part-time person) a few years ago because they are assigned based on how many meals are made each day. So cut the attitude. I know more than you do about what goes on in my community that you likely don’t live in. And stop blaming Bethesda and Potomac for all your problems. I’m not saying my tax dollars shouldn’t help support you, so you shouldn’t be so resentful of my kid getting something either. If you want to play that game though, you should support getting rid of the county school system and letting each town fund their own. Let’s see how you like that.

What are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Food has gotten incredibly expensive. I do not know how people on a budget are making it work. It is especially shameful because the supply chain issues are mostly resolved; food companies and grocery stores are now testing how high thry can set prices and still have customers.

I think it is great that the schools are feeding kids no questions asked, with prices so high I am sure some people are doing without and would be going hungry otherwise.

You buy cheaper foods, you shop at Aldi's, Lidl, Walmart, for example. Lots of ways.

Is there a Walmart anywhere near Montgomery county? Seems pretty pennywise in pound foolish to drive all the way out to DC or Laurel (assuming you have a car)

There is a Walmart in Germantown.

That’s really convenient for the poor and carless residents of Aspen Hill. Maybe just a four hour round trip bus ride in the hopes of saving $5 on whatever groceries you can haul on public transportation with 2-3 kids in tow. Or were you suggesting that the poor move to Germantown for proximity to the Walmart?

Huh?? The poor over there go to the free meal and grocery distribution centers just like they do elsewhere.
You do realize Germantown has a large low income population?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I know that because my kids have been in those schools for years now. Pyle Middle School barely had a cafeteria staff (i think one part-time person) a few years ago because they are assigned based on how many meals are made each day. So cut the attitude. I know more than you do about what goes on in my community that you likely don’t live in. And stop blaming Bethesda and Potomac for all your problems. I’m not saying my tax dollars shouldn’t help support you, so you shouldn’t be so resentful of my kid getting something either. If you want to play that game though, you should support getting rid of the county school system and letting each town fund their own. Let’s see how you like that.

What are you talking about?

I’m talking about prior poster who was complaining his tax dollars are being used to provide free meals to the “rich” kids in Bethesda and Potomac. First, those kids aren’t taking the free meals. Second, even if they do, what’s wrong with that? We have a county system. I pay more in taxes than he does and I’m not complaining that my kids’ schools get less $ per kid (although I think it is unfair in many ways). But if he wants to say that his money shouldn’t go to my kids, maybe my money shouldn’t go to his. Most states in the northeast do not use a county system. Each town funds and runs their own system. So if he wants to play that game, let’s play it for real. Bethesda can fund and run its own system. And Gaithersburg can fund and run it’s own system. Somehow I don’t think he will like that very much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I know that because my kids have been in those schools for years now. Pyle Middle School barely had a cafeteria staff (i think one part-time person) a few years ago because they are assigned based on how many meals are made each day. So cut the attitude. I know more than you do about what goes on in my community that you likely don’t live in. And stop blaming Bethesda and Potomac for all your problems. I’m not saying my tax dollars shouldn’t help support you, so you shouldn’t be so resentful of my kid getting something either. If you want to play that game though, you should support getting rid of the county school system and letting each town fund their own. Let’s see how you like that.

What are you talking about?

I’m talking about prior poster who was complaining his tax dollars are being used to provide free meals to the “rich” kids in Bethesda and Potomac. First, those kids aren’t taking the free meals. Second, even if they do, what’s wrong with that? We have a county system. I pay more in taxes than he does and I’m not complaining that my kids’ schools get less $ per kid (although I think it is unfair in many ways). But if he wants to say that his money shouldn’t go to my kids, maybe my money shouldn’t go to his. Most states in the northeast do not use a county system. Each town funds and runs their own system. So if he wants to play that game, let’s play it for real. Bethesda can fund and run its own system. And Gaithersburg can fund and run it’s own system. Somehow I don’t think he will like that very much.

I completely agree. Sadly there are a few posters on DCUM who have a chip on their shoulder about what they perceive to be wealthy, spoiled, people in certain areas. An acquaintance of mine used to make snide comments about racist, entitled folk in Bethesda all the time, until his kid was bullied in school in Silver Spring, and suddenly he understood that stuff happens in every school, and people aren't necessarily nicer elsewhere...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am very glad to see that the meals will be provided. If your kids don’t need them, fine, but these meals are critical for so many food-insecure students!!!

I just wish the truly needy kids could get a hot meal like they used to rather than kids taking a free meal to maybe have two spoonfuls of the apple sauce with their packed lunch. I guess it is not a choice of one or the other right now. A lower cost meal free for all.

I don’t think the cold lunch is due to cost. My understanding is that there’s also a reluctance to have the cafeteria workers standing over hot food that is unwrapped on the steam table or under heat lamps.

The cold food is probably less fatty TBH.

[Anonymous]

Do kids have to take a full meal or can they just pick one or two items (like a piece of fruit, for example)?

Is there a website that lists what the meals are? From this thread, it seems like it’s not very good, but I’m curious to know more details.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Food has gotten incredibly expensive. I do not know how people on a budget are making it work. It is especially shameful because the supply chain issues are mostly resolved; food companies and grocery stores are now testing how high thry can set prices and still have customers.

I think it is great that the schools are feeding kids no questions asked, with prices so high I am sure some people are doing without and would be going hungry otherwise.

You buy cheaper foods, you shop at Aldi's, Lidl, Walmart, for example. Lots of ways.

Is there a Walmart anywhere near Montgomery county? Seems pretty pennywise in pound foolish to drive all the way out to DC or Laurel (assuming you have a car)

There is a Walmart in Germantown.

That’s really convenient for the poor and carless residents of Aspen Hill. Maybe just a four hour round trip bus ride in the hopes of saving $5 on whatever groceries you can haul on public transportation with 2-3 kids in tow. Or were you suggesting that the poor move to Germantown for proximity to the Walmart?

Actually, you'd jump on the ICC from Aspen Hill. We were supposed to get a Walmart in Aspen Hill but all the rich folks protested it and so now we are getting a Kaiser. It really sucks as the Kmart closed so the only place to go is Target in Wheaton and its pretty pricy. But, in Aspen Hill, if you know the area, which you don't, there is an Aldi's and Lidl. Both much cheaper than the Safeway and Giant there. There are also multiple Korean and Asian markets that have cheaper produce. And, Walmart delivers to certain areas now. I cannot order fresh food but when I order some stuff like cereal and paper goods, it gets delivered by a driver within two days for free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Food has gotten incredibly expensive. I do not know how people on a budget are making it work. It is especially shameful because the supply chain issues are mostly resolved; food companies and grocery stores are now testing how high thry can set prices and still have customers.

I think it is great that the schools are feeding kids no questions asked, with prices so high I am sure some people are doing without and would be going hungry otherwise.

You buy cheaper foods, you shop at Aldi's, Lidl, Walmart, for example. Lots of ways.

Is there a Walmart anywhere near Montgomery county? Seems pretty pennywise in pound foolish to drive all the way out to DC or Laurel (assuming you have a car)

There is a Walmart in Germantown.

That’s really convenient for the poor and carless residents of Aspen Hill. Maybe just a four hour round trip bus ride in the hopes of saving $5 on whatever groceries you can haul on public transportation with 2-3 kids in tow. Or were you suggesting that the poor move to Germantown for proximity to the Walmart?

Huh?? The poor over there go to the free meal and grocery distribution centers just like they do elsewhere.
You do realize Germantown has a large low income population?

Germantown, Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village where that Walmart gets a lot of business from was historically lower income till the rich people moved in wanted more affordable fake mansions without the price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The other thing people have to understand is it can often be cheaper to just feed everyone than it is to keep track of eligibility and administer the programs, seek out payment for unpaid balances, and give placeholder lunches to kids. The reality is a lot of food also gets thrown away at the end of the day as well. Those things come with costs as well.

Making it blanket free cuts down on administrative costs. And isn't UT better to spend money on feeding kids rather than setting up an apparatus NOT to feed kids?

+1

Means-testing programs makes them more expensive to administer. Just feeding everyone makes it easier and reduces administrative costs.

They already did that pre-pandemic, on a per-school basis. Once a certain % (65-75%, I forget) of studetns qualify, they just give free meals to everyone to save the hassle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The other thing people have to understand is it can often be cheaper to just feed everyone than it is to keep track of eligibility and administer the programs, seek out payment for unpaid balances, and give placeholder lunches to kids. The reality is a lot of food also gets thrown away at the end of the day as well. Those things come with costs as well.

Making it blanket free cuts down on administrative costs. And isn't UT better to spend money on feeding kids rather than setting up an apparatus NOT to feed kids?

+1

Means-testing programs makes them more expensive to administer. Just feeding everyone makes it easier and reduces administrative costs.

They already did that pre-pandemic, on a per-school basis. Once a certain % (65-75%, I forget) of studetns qualify, they just give free meals to everyone to save the hassle.

It was based off of farms/income and federal grants. It wasn't MCPS paying for it nor is MCPS paying for this. Its the Federal grants. I think its good to do free lunch for all to make sure no child goes hungry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do kids have to take a full meal or can they just pick one or two items (like a piece of fruit, for example)?

Is there a website that lists what the meals are? From this thread, it seems like it’s not very good, but I’m curious to know more details.

No it is in a bag so the waste is huge. Kids just grab one and might toss the whole thing if they are not hungry after eating a packed lunch.

[Anonymous]

Does that mean I don't have to pack lunch for my rising kindergartener, but only pack a water bottle!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do kids have to take a full meal or can they just pick one or two items (like a piece of fruit, for example)?

Is there a website that lists what the meals are? From this thread, it seems like it’s not very good, but I’m curious to know more details.

Kids on FARMS have to take the full meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Food has gotten incredibly expensive. I do not know how people on a budget are making it work. It is especially shameful because the supply chain issues are mostly resolved; food companies and grocery stores are now testing how high thry can set prices and still have customers.

I think it is great that the schools are feeding kids no questions asked, with prices so high I am sure some people are doing without and would be going hungry otherwise.

You buy cheaper foods, you shop at Aldi's, Lidl, Walmart, for example. Lots of ways.

Is there a Walmart anywhere near Montgomery county? Seems pretty pennywise in pound foolish to drive all the way out to DC or Laurel (assuming you have a car)

There is a Walmart in Germantown.

That’s really convenient for the poor and carless residents of Aspen Hill. Maybe just a four hour round trip bus ride in the hopes of saving $5 on whatever groceries you can haul on public transportation with 2-3 kids in tow. Or were you suggesting that the poor move to Germantown for proximity to the Walmart?

Actually, you'd jump on the ICC from Aspen Hill. We were supposed to get a Walmart in Aspen Hill but all the rich folks protested it and so now we are getting a Kaiser. It really sucks as the Kmart closed so the only place to go is Target in Wheaton and its pretty pricy. But, in Aspen Hill, if you know the area, which you don't, there is an Aldi's and Lidl. Both much cheaper than the Safeway and Giant there. There are also multiple Korean and Asian markets that have cheaper produce. And, Walmart delivers to certain areas now. I cannot order fresh food but when I order some stuff like cereal and paper goods, it gets delivered by a driver within two days for free.

You need a car and money for tolls to do that. When I first lived in MoCo in the late 90s, I was a low income single mom without a car. Grocery shopping meant whatever I could walk home from Shoppers or safely manage on a crowded bus from Safeway. People treat you horribly when you get on a bus with kids and lots of grocery bags as if they can’t see you are struggling to survive. The idea that I could just jump in a car to go from Aspen Hill to Germantown to grocery shop? It was as likely as jetting to Paris to shop the fall fashions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do kids have to take a full meal or can they just pick one or two items (like a piece of fruit, for example)?

Is there a website that lists what the meals are? From this thread, it seems like it’s not very good, but I’m curious to know more details.

No it is in a bag so the waste is huge. Kids just grab one and might toss the whole thing if they are not hungry after eating a packed lunch.

The amount of waste is UNREAL.

The plastic alone is enough to choke off our oceans.

But the kids take the lunch. Pick out the one item they will eat and throw the rest of the untouched, uneaten items away. There is an insane amount of food thrown away.