They Serve you WHAT at School???

My oldest daughter started Kindergarten in public school this fall. It’s been such a new and exciting process for her. And for my husband and I too, since neither of us grew up in the United States. We were so nervous about what “real” school was going to be like and whether she was going to adjust and make friends easily. Now, two months into the school year, we’re happy to report that she loves it and so do we! The teachers and administrators are amazing, the PTO is made up of very committed parents and the kids are diverse and (for the most part) come from families where education is a top priority.

But as the saying goes, “into each life some rain must fall.” Which brings me to public school lunch. We’ve all heard about the dismal state of school lunch programs in this country. Some of you may have watched Jamie Oliver’s “Food Revolution” a few months ago and, like me, groaned aloud at people’s attitudes towards food and what we are willing to feed our children. You know all about the obesity epidemic that has been sweeping the nation. It’s so deeply disturbing. One quick look at most public school lunch menus and it’s easy to see one of the causes of this problem.

I have often shaken my head at the appalling stories in the media about school lunches but never had to deal with it directly until now. And I never fully appreciated why it’s been so hard to make the changes needed to provide school kids with healthy and delicious meals but I do now. The crux of the problem is $$$. The sad truth is that for now, healthy meals just cost more than processed food. The school lunch in our district only costs $1.85 per child and even that is too high for some families who qualify for “reduced lunch” and only pay $0.40.



Picture Courtesy Smiling Green Mom



The choices at lunch in my daughter’s school typically range from cheese burgers, corn dogs and pizza to more “exotic” choices like Frito pie, chili and fried chicken sandwiches. The vegetables are French fries and occasionally carrot sticks, some fresh fruit and cookies/cake. There is no salad bar. At least they finally got rid of the flavored milk. What is a working mother who cares about her kids’ nutrition to do? Suck it up and make the kid take her own lunch to school everyday.

So, every Sunday, I struggle to come up with a lunch menu that I can make quickly, will be nutritious and that the world’s pickiest eater will actually eat. I won’t lie: it’s the longest, most painful hour of my entire week. But I have discovered some options that have been a hit.

• Hummus quesadillas – Basically, garden vegetable hummus (preferably one without any chemicals/preservatives) slathered between two lightly toasted whole wheat tortillas and cut into wedges. Great protein and fiber and most kids love it.
• Avocado quesadillas – Same concept as the hummus quesadillas using sliced avocados instead and sprinkled with salt, pepper and a little paprika.
• Margherita sandwiches – Sandwich slices of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil between a Ciabatta roll or small baguette.
• Hummus with pita crackers, carrot and celery sticks – kids love dipping foods and there’s nothing unhealthy about this option.
• Peanut butter sandwiches – use an all-natural peanut butter and whole wheat bread. Add all-natural preserves if your kids like a PB&J (mine don’t).

All of these take minutes to put together in the morning. Make sure you add a serving of fresh fruit (or natural/organic applesauce) and low-fat milk/drinkable yogurt to the lunchbox for a healthy and filling lunch. I also sometimes throw in a little treat like a few chocolate-covered almonds, some small marshmallows or a couple of madeleines (mine love the ones from Starbucks….but I should get around to baking my own sometime).

In a pinch, I buy the healthy versions of Lunchables from Whole Foods – they come in a plastic container with four compartments: one for cubes of cheese, one for grapes or some other small fruit, one for protein – chicken salad, tuna salad, slices of turkey or ham, and one for whole wheat crackers. It hits the major food groups, is healthy and fast for those days when trying to make a lunch just isn’t an option. And if I don’t have one of these on hand and we’re running late, I give in and let her buy the school lunch which, sadly, makes her day!

More easy lunch ideas to follow over the next few weeks but I’d love to hear your ideas too – so bring them on! Remember, the lunches can’t be reheated, young kids are messy and they only have 25 minutes for lunch.

To follow the school debate more closely, check out Bettina Elias Siegel's blog The Lunch Tray. She gets it but even more importantly, she's working hard to DO something about it - hooray for champions like her!