2008.08.25
Lunch costs on the rise
The New York Times has a story this week that rings true in the NRV -- the growing cost of school lunches.
People in the article attribute it to the price of gasoline, which local nutrition leaders say is the same issue here. Food prices are rising, yet the feds aren't paying out any more to even out the cost.
The result? Higher prices, and likely even higher ones in years to come, says Montgomery County nutrition director Michael Marcenelle,
In Montgomery County, elementary school students now are paying $1.90 for lunch and middle and high-schoolers are spending $1,95 (those who actually eat in the cafeteria)
As those in the Times' story said, it's something they have to do, but for parents even a nickle bump could be a lot.
Now, I was recently hanging out in the "Riner Diner" over at Auburn Elementary, and the food looked tastey, so maybe the cost is worth it?
What do you think?
The food in the upper level of the schools seems to be of less quality than the food in the elementary schools yet it costs more. High school students however spend lots of extra money on things like ice cream, slushes, and chips. Those of which are not made by the school themselves however. I think the prices should drop but then again we all want prices on everything to drop.
Comment by Chase Harrison — August 26, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Just out of interest, is Auburn on the same lunch plan as Christiansburg? Because if they are, I would like to know why exactly their food looks tasty but our food looks like it has been given a grease bath before it is dumped on our trays. Our lunch program is extremely unhealthy and kids could potentially gain weight because of it. If our country is trying to counteract its growing obesity problem, why don't they start at the source? Unhealthy school lunches are at the root of our unhealthy country.
Comment by Clara Everett — August 26, 2008 @ 11:20 am
Lunch, one of th most important meals of the day, is being forgotten when it comes to the school system. Students find themselves wandering around the cafeteria when lunch time comes around wondering, "what am I going to eat?" One, school lunches are of poor quality. Two, school lunches are too expensive for the quality of food students recieve. Either lower the price to match the quality or raise the quality of food.
Comment by Alex Hickling — August 26, 2008 @ 11:31 am
Clara,
When I was there, the obligatory grease-soaked pizza was a staple, but they actually had a non-breaded or fried chicken filet. That was the yummy looking part to me. Then again, I didn't eat it.
Have you taken up the unhealthy lunches with anyone to try to affect change at all? I know some school districts in states such as California offer veggie and organic options.
Comment by Anna — August 26, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
Anna:
Our cafeteria does still serve an occasional chicken sandwich, but on other days students are offered "General Tso's Chicken" (a disgusting rip-off of normally scrumptious Chinese food) or some other like option. On these days, most students, repulsed by this shameful display of attempted Asian cooking, instead turn to the "Pizza and fries" line, which is open every day. The only variation in the Pizza and fries line is that some days the fries will perhaps be replaced with tater tots or some other grease-soaked substance.
Oh, but wait! Yesterday my friends and I feasted on "Cheese sticks", which are in fact the crusts of yesterday's pizza wrapped in tin foil. Delicious!
To answer your question, I have not spoken to anyone about our disgraceful lunch display. However, now that it has been fully brought to my attention just how unhealthy our lunch system is, I think that I may just have to pay a visit to our delightful principal and petition a change, and then perhaps write an article on my endeavors.
Also, have you seen the movie “Supersize Me?” (It is an excellent film and I recommend it if you have not.) In it, the host, Morgan Spurlock, visits a school cafeteria and films students eating lunch. Indeed, their lunch looks quite as unhealthy as ours, and maybe even worse tasting. After enlightening his viewers on some of the nutrition facts of school food, Morgan goes on to explain that the school is able to offer much healthier and almost definitely better tasting food for the same amount that the school is currently paying. When this is brought to the principal’s attention, she shirks responding and instead finds some way to avoid informing the viewer why exactly the school is still serving what appears to be some of the unhealthiest food on the planet. I'm a tad fuzzy on the details of Morgan’s “healthy” lunch plan, but I think that I will definitely have to research this.
Comment by Clara Everett — August 27, 2008 @ 11:26 am