Question by jorge h: why do most schools offer junk food to our kids?
There are some schools who worry about their kids but in general the majority of schools give them donuts for breakfast or pizza for lunch… How can I start a petition into getting good/healthy food for the kids?Obesity is way up in the elementary schools because of the junk they are given.Where should I begin?
Best answer:
Answer by Dum Dadi Doo
Kids like junkfood and school like money.
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15 comments
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Jax says:
December 21, 2013 at 9:43 pm (UTC 0)
I’d start with the PTA. Chances are there are more parents who are concerned.
Anita Blake says:
December 21, 2013 at 10:30 pm (UTC 0)
Donuts for breakfast? My daughter’s school doesn’t offer those. They do serve pizza once a week, but eating one slice a pizza for lunch once a week will not cause obesity. Almost everyday they serve a pretty balanced meal with a meat, fruit, veggie, and milk. Everyday they also have pre-prepared salads as an alternative to the meat.
If you’re concerned about the meals they serve, start talking to other parents at your child’s school and get their opinoin. If they agree, then try starting a petition for healthier meals. The best way is to write a letter with the PTA stating what you want (balanced lunch, less junk food choices) and they can help circulate this letter to every parent. Once you have enough signatures of agreement, take it to your school district (meals are not planned my individual schools, it’s by district)
yeah my sons have girl names...and?! says:
December 21, 2013 at 10:36 pm (UTC 0)
its because junk food is cheaper for the schools. in this economy its not about health its about price and conveinece. if you want to s tart a petition with your school i suggest you do research. contact some local farms or grocery stores (bigger chains are better) about donating fruits/veggies and whole grains. i would also look in to time efficient recipes the lunch ladies can cook. you might even want to suggest the school have a garden. this will show the kids about how the veggies grow and then they can make foods with it. i just think if you go to the school with a list of 1500 names and say we all dont like the menu, then they may say what do you suggest …you should have suggestions. i looked at the menus for the schools in my area on line. my son is only 19 months but i was just curious. everyday week there entrees are either pizza, tacos or nuggets. i feel that is unacceptable and will be supplying my kids with their lunch. and allow them to purchase lunch once a week.
Superbeast says:
December 21, 2013 at 10:38 pm (UTC 0)
Even junk food is healthy if it is made with good ingredients.
Pizza is not unhealthy, you just consider it unhealthy because children like it.
What is unhealthy about tomatoes, bread, and cheese. All of these ingredients are good for you.
Try to pull your head out for a moment, catch your breath and think clearly before re-inserting it.
Actually, half of the “obesity epidemic” is fueled by ignorance, some people have a genetic disposition to be big, don’t believe me? Take a look at the next fat kid you see’s baby pictures and I bet it will be a chubby baby.
The point being, stop watching so much day time television.
Amber says:
December 21, 2013 at 11:08 pm (UTC 0)
I know that the schools offer junk food, but at the elementary schools here, they normally limit the servings. (Unless its the cart that sells them for extra money)
Seriously? Schools come to donuts for breakfast now? I would go to the office and ask for a print out of the lunch schedule for a few weeks… make copies and go from there. Inform the other parents what their children are eating if its everyday.
Melyssa says:
December 21, 2013 at 11:52 pm (UTC 0)
it comes down to budgets. Its much cheaper and eaier to make a pizza or chicken nuggets or dunuts than serve vegetables, or steamed food etc.
They are mass producing food and it needs to be easily made and chea. I read somewhere that a normal school lunch only cost pennies per kid.
You can start a petition in your school and once you have enough names go to the school district but without a big increase in funds I dont think it’ll change much. Our schools budgets just cut by a lot this year so I’m expecting the same crap on the lunch than on the previous years
slema628 says:
December 22, 2013 at 12:03 am (UTC 0)
My entire state banned junk food from all schools, even sodas and other carbonated beverages. They don’t sell cookies, donuts or anything that’s bad for you anymore. You should begin by joining the PTA and proposing to the other PTA members that you all need to do something about the food situation. Then you start a petition and get all the parents to agree, then take it to the Superintendent.
opie babezz says:
December 22, 2013 at 12:08 am (UTC 0)
Kid’s like it that’s why.
lillilou says:
December 22, 2013 at 12:14 am (UTC 0)
Because the parents let them, and thats all the parents are willing to pay for when it comes to both lunch money and property taxes/referendums
Ellen says:
December 22, 2013 at 12:54 am (UTC 0)
Obesity is way up because of crummy parenting and lack of self control being instilled in the children. Parents are too worried about “self esteem” and not worried enough by the fact that little timmy wants a mini fridge for his bedroom for his birthday.
Don’t blame the schools.
:) says:
December 22, 2013 at 1:09 am (UTC 0)
They don’t in our school’s.
Its Healthy School Dinners.
Rules;
Every child must have 1 portion of vegetables & 1 portion of fruit at lunchtime.
Fizzy pop/chocolate/sweets/crisps are banned.
The only morning snack allowed is fruit.
Friday, chips are on the menu… thats the only junk food they are given.
Thank God the meals have changed. I remember just a few years ago, my kids were given burger and chips everyday!
As for your concerns, does your child’s school have a board of parent governors, or some kind of group, where parents can give their ideas on how to help the school. I would bring it up, or write a letter to the head teacher, or even get the local paper involved?
askthedad says:
December 22, 2013 at 2:03 am (UTC 0)
You are certainly not the only parent at your school concerned about this. Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in this country, and a lot of people worry about the long-term effects of poor diet. Parents at many school districts have pushed for changes in their school-lunch policies, with varying degrees of success.
First, find out whether there is already a move to press the school district for healthier meals. If so, get involved in it. The parent-teacher association is a good place to start. If nobody is currently agitating for change, talk to some parents about the issue and recruit some allies.
If you truly wish to effect change, your best strategy is to become part of an organization involved in the educational process. Again, the PTA is that organization in most districts. Join, go to the meetings, and bring up the issue when appropriate. Drum up support parent by parent, PTA officer by PTA officer, until you have enough to make an official appeal to the school district’s governing board. Do your research and equip yourself with both statistics on the dangers of junk food and specific alternatives to the current system.
Sure, you can go door to door and get signatures on a petition. But such petitions tend to work better when backed by a logical, fact-supported argument and presented by a respected organization at a public forum designed for such debate, like a school board meeting.
mommyoftwo53 says:
December 22, 2013 at 2:09 am (UTC 0)
The schools have nutrition standards they have to follow and normally have to hit all the food groups. They may be given a pizza but normally it comes with milk and fruit of some sort. Also, many schools these days have options. At all of my children’s schools (ones in 2nd grade and the other one is in Kindergarten) they get many choices. For example if pizza is offered that day another meal similar will be offered, cheese sandwiches, ham sandwiches, or even salads (with meat or not). So its then up to your child to pick the better meal. Also, if you don’t like the meals the school offers its up to you to provide their lunch then!
ozboz48 says:
December 22, 2013 at 2:16 am (UTC 0)
Often, junk food is cheaper, can be bought in bulk and frozen.
Instead of starting a petition, just make lunch for your child.
All the best.
Gretchen says:
December 22, 2013 at 2:37 am (UTC 0)
You are so right to be concerned about this. Experts are saying that if something doesn’t change, our children’s lifespans will be shorter than ours because of obesity with school lunches being a major culprit.
This is a perfect time to get involved in improving lunches in your school because a lot is happening out there. There are a number of parents in other school districts who have improved lunches in their schools. You could reach out to some of these districts or other resources listed in the article below to get information and then take it to your PTO. I know cost is always an issue but in all of these cities, parents and the school were able to find local vendors to help pay for the effort.
See below for an article.
Good luck.