How can I get my school to get better lunch foods without sueing?

Question

please help!

Answer 1

I have no idea on what basis you would sue. Even if you are required to purchase a set amount on a meal card, you still agree to that as a condition of your housing or tuition. The best you could do was report them if they are violating health codes.

The trick is to a) mobilize students and b) communicate with the administration. A petition is one means of getting students involved, also talk to student government who have better access to the student body. Very often, they are looking for projects to gain them credibility with the students.
You might even want to talk directly with the food provider first, to give them a chance to improve on their own - bring concrete suggestions for improvement and any evidence you might have of poor quality or student dissatisfaction. If necessary, let them know you are ready to go to the administration with your demands.

If/when this fails, bring your information to the dean of students or the equivalent. You may want to bring the petition, other students who agree with you, examples of what is wrong with the food, and ways it could be improved. Your unsuccessful meeting with the food provider may bolster your case. Since they will probably agree to your demands and then ignore them, it might help to have some time pass and present your suggestions, their agreement, and examples of how they have not followed through.

Some suggestions you might make to the dean: have them talk to the food provider directly, have them shop around for other providers (even knowledge they are doing this may make the food improve) and the possibility of using the meal cards at nearby restaurants. Many universities have this last option. It creates competition, and forces the cafeteria to improve since they are no longer guaranteed your every dollar.

Keep in mind that the size of your school will matter here. Large universities have more bargaining power - more companies want their contracts, and are willing to improve food quality and change the terms of the deal to keep these contracts. At a smaller college, there may not be as much choice. If few providers want the college's business, they may be in a position to dictate the terms of the agreement, such as forcing the school to mandate a set buy-in for dormers, blocking use of the cards by nearby businesses, etc.

In the long-term, if the food is inedible and you have a forced buy-in, you may well have much money left on your card since you have been eating elsewhere. Buy pre-packaged food, such as beverages and cereal - in bulk and give them to a local food kitchen or shelter. This will make you look good and help convey that the food is really so inedible you end up buying meals elsewhere even if it means wasting hundreds of dollars.

If you are at a small college, the best bet might be to move off campus next year and get your food elsewhere.

Answer 2

You have to convince the school board to consider switching vendors. This requires a lot of research, but there are companies out there that can provide healthy, delicious, and affordable lunch options.
Start up a petition among the students, and be clear about what it is you want - more variety, fewer greasy foods, etc, not just "i hate tater tots." See if you can get any parents who are willing to do the aggressive research and comparisons to find a new food vendor.
Suing is a useless option - the school isn't actively harming you by providing this food. It's always better to work together to find a positive solution, rather than fighting and throwing blame around.

Answer 3

Sometimes it is not the food that actually sucks. It is the dietician who prepares the food who sucks. Seasonings fix all kinds of things! Problem is, they don't use any. Here in the northeast, Cysco Foods is a huge supplier of institutional foods, and I have had some that tasted like they could be served in a four star reaurant. Yes, it is true. So don't look to get rid of the food supplier, look to get rid of the chef! Good luck to you.

Answer 4

I would start a petition. It would also help if you got some teacher's support on the issue. Go around your lunchroom and keep a tally of who likes the lunch food, who doesn't, who would buy if it was better, etc. Don't forget to get their signature and printed name.

See this site:
http://gopetition.com/create.php

Answer 5

believe me dude all schools have their ups and downs when it comes to lunch foods...why dont you get a group of people together who share the same opinion and go to the head of the company that runs the lunches and have a discussion about it and if that ends up fruitless then perhaps go to administration about it and tell them it needs to change...

Answer 6

Bring a protein shake and some nuts. You can buy the protein shakes pre-made in the milk section of the supermarket and then pack a bag of cashews or almonds or whatever nuts you enjoy. A piece of fruit is also easy and some crackers with sliced cheese.

Answer 7

Go and share it with the principle. And do this occasionally if no change has been effescted

Answer 8

hassle that jamie oliver bloke to get on their case like he did in the uk

Answer 9

i suggest every one to bring their own lunch...