Comments on: CSD Menu Committee Tweaks “Top Ten List” Recommendations, Suggests Keeping a Chocolate Milk Option

By: Kate Gardes

Kate Gardes — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:59:37 +0000

I’ve been wondering if something like a CSA model could work with the school lunches. I know the school system can buy more expensive food if they have more people paying for lunch. So what if we signed up in advance so they knew how many meals to prepare for a certain day? We could start with 1 day a week. The school system could plan meals that are more locally sourced and/or less processed and/or more organic and give everyone details about it, and parents could pay in advance for the meal, maybe 4 meals at a time. Maybe even a small premium could be charged and/or donations to the F2S program accepted. Of course, the free and reduced lunch program recipients would receive the same meal without the need for signing up in advance or paying a premium.
I’m talking off the top of my head here; I’m sure there are more things to think about. I wonder if any other school systems have tried something like this.

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 07:12:04 +0000

Glad this has worked out but wow, when I think all the hours of my life that were spent on organizing snack lists, picking out snacks that were acceptable to me but also my kids, buying snacks, baking snacks, bringing in snacks…….ok, I’m over it.

By: Glennwood Girl

Glennwood Girl — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 02:06:33 +0000

As I understand it, there was follow-up done and it was noted that there was less food waste at lunch, and that the children were not starving. (I’m sure that was the exact language of the report.) I don’t believe any CSD K-3s are having snacks anymore.

By: 4brocks

4brocks — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 01:39:21 +0000

The dessert provided by CSD is limited to a cookie approx once per month, otherwise all I ever see is fruit….

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 20:01:40 +0000

The survey was interesting and I commend the Ultimate Menu Committee, not only on their fantastic choice of committee name, but also on getting feedback from parents. I had no idea there was that much support for peanut butter! Especially since there’s the peanut butter allergy issues around. But I have to admit, it’s a tried and true option when little ones need calories to make it through the whole day but nothing else is getting them to eat. Obesity and healthy nutrition are important issues but some children still exist for whom weight gain is the challenge. I’m not surprised that chocolate milk had a lot of support, given the calcium benefit for kids who otherwise don’t or can’t consume much diary, but I thought it would beat out peanut butter.

My kids will be happy about chicken nuggets remaining since that is one of their favorite CSD menu items. Now that we’re not doing Chick Fil A, we need to get our chicken nugget junk food intake from somewhere!

I’m happy about the gradual movement towards a healthier school lunch because someone else is working on my kids’ narrow palate besides me! Yeah, lunch ladies!