-Expensive
-Small portions
-Don't always delivery on time
-kid was missing part of their lunch several times, perhaps not Yay's fault but I would prefer another solution
-Who knows how long things are just sitting and waiting

I really don't think private HS schools should offer this unless they are a very small specialized school with a few students.

Anonymous wrote:We started this year. At first it seemed like a fun idea, but the price and options are not good. And the fact that it is cold when they eat it is really inexcusable. If you paid $10 for a hot lunch and it was cold, you would return it. Yay Lunch needs some major work if it’s going to make it.

We have had the same experience. It's very expensive, and my DD says the portions are really small. So far the only option I am somewhat happy with is the Pizza on Fridays. I don't think we will do it much longer, even though it is very convenient.

We started this year. At first it seemed like a fun idea, but the price and options are not good. And the fact that it is cold when they eat it is really inexcusable. If you paid $10 for a hot lunch and it was cold, you would return it. Yay Lunch needs some major work if it’s going to make it.

Our school started it this year. Have not been impressed; same menu every week; expensive; and can be cold as all lunches are delivered at earliest lunch period. We will likely use it sporadically to change things up a bit but disappointed with it so far.

How are the Yay Lunch meals so far this year? Our school is going to start offering the service later this month but I can’t view menu options yet.

One of our kids lower schools had the kids vote on what the 2 week rotation was and lo and behold it’s all hot dog, pasta, pizza, and burgers. They didn’t even know the words of half the menu yet had the keys to the castle!

What I loved is the newsletter Yay Lunch sent out around the new year extolling the founder's dedication to providing healthy meals for children. And then you look at the menus...

Any recommendations for other meal services that are not Yay for schools that don’t have a functional cafeteria where food could be prepared for many children?

My kid didn’t like it

If it was half the cost I would do it.

As someone who works on the school side that has yay lunch, many restaurants are not equipped to deal with the orders and sorting them properly for each grade/ person. The administrative lift is substantial. When you find a restaurant that works, you stick with them. We had a restaurant that we worked with close and it was a scramble to help them find another lunch option.

I agree though that the options are lackluster and servings are small for the price. It’s just not an operation that has a huge margin so not much extra incentive for innovation.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone familiar with this lunch service? We just started with this at our school and it seemed okay but now they’re not providing upcoming menus anymore? Would love to hear others’ experiences.

NO talking during lunch.

My kid is a creature of habit and really likes the repetitive nature of the menu. That being said, he deosn't like anything on Thursdays deli day so we just bring from home that day. I do feel like I have to supplement most meals with some fruit or veggies and I don't think the portions will be enough as he gets older. But for now, it's working well and takes a little stress out of my mornings. I find the online ordering super easy each week (just do it by saturday for the following week).

My kid's school uses it. She tried it once and it was OK, but she said they deliver about 2 hours before lunch so any hot items are cold when the kids eat them (e.g., pizza) which she thinks is gross. I will say that the vast majority of menu items are things I could make at home and send for a fraction of the price - and fruits/veggies are add-ons. For example, they may offer a turkey sandwich or small portion of mac and cheese from Corner Bakery for $7+. To me, this is a complete waste of money. They do offer a few interesting options occasionally, like Korean food from Bibimbap, but as other PPs have said, the portions are very small and depending on your school's delivery arrangement, may very well be stone cold by lunchtime.

Same experience. It's amazing that no one cares enough to rotate through more than five providers at a time. Same one on every Monday, every Tuesday, etc...

They are riding off the fumes of COVID disrupted meal service and I suspect that their business will either innovate or fail.