What organization is in charge of elementary school lunches?

Question

I'm having a problem with the school lunch program and my children's school and I need to know what organization runs and handles the lunch program in Ohio. (Giving the school guidelines as to what healthy foods the child needs to be fed by law)
If a child occasionally forgets their lunch money in the classroom instead of bringing it to the cafeteria - should the child be taken to the principals office for the entire lunch period (which is a whopping 15 minutes), pulled away from their friends, and fed an 'Uncrustable PB&J sandwhich' and orange juice?

Answer 1

You can start at the top if you want.... but you won't get anywhere.

The best thing to do would be to talk to your child's teacher, then principle. In Ohio there are guidelines for a "healthy" lunch, and the PB&J with orange juice falls within those guidelines. (a protein, a bread, and a fruit/veggie... guess they threw in the jelly for taste).

The best thing would be for your child's teacher to remind the child to bring their lunch money so you don't have to deal with this. I really doubt that you have much of a case to change the policy unless your kid is allergic to peanuts or something.

Answer 2

Ask the school board about the lunch program. There should be a nutritionist on staff and the guidelines are probably mandated by the state.

Secondly, the school should allow a school lunch in the cafeteria regardless.

Lastly, the pb&j with orange juice is not a terrible meal. It could have been a lot worse.

The best guideline is to pack your own lunch.

Answer 3

They forgot their lunch money in the class room and weren't able to go get it??? With a lot of schools, you can go in and pay ahead by check or cash so that the child doesn't have to remember to bring their lunch money. If anything, I would try doing that... it makes life a lot easier. As far as lunches go, that should all go through the school board. I would start by talking to the principal about the situation, but I would then next talk to the board of education if need be. There is nothing illegal about giving a child a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when they forget their lunch or lunch money... denying them a lunch because of it is. However, how incredibly stupid to not let the child return to the classroom to get their lunch money?

Answer 4

What is your school district? Most times, they have a website and you can look at the school lunches.

I would say it's not the company that's making the decision to deny your child food. Our school district hires employees and makes the big decisions.

In ours, you get all the veggies/fruits you want, plus a PB&J sandwich (which is so gross - seriously, they CUT the jelly into half-inch slices and put on the bread). And a milk or juice.

In ours, you get get up to negative 5 dollars before they make you eat a PB&J meal.

We are also online - I can see balances on all kids and even what they ate. I can make deposits as well - see if they have something like that.

Good luck. A child shouldn't be done like that for forgetting their lunch money. Unless it's happening weekly - then they do need to get that under control.

Have a good one!

Answer 5

The state of Ohio is the entity dictating the public school food programs (as far as nutrition, that is). The policy of taking a child to the principle's office for forgetting lunch money is most probably a policy of your local School Board.

We live in Indiana, and our local public school district does not use "lunch money". Parents pay in bulk and children's accounts are kept by the cafeteria, so this eliminates the need for children to bring in cash.

I would address your School Board about the policy.

Answer 6

I don't know about Ohio, but at my kids school they give them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and milk if they forget their lunch or lunch money. They don't send them to the principals office though. The kids aren't allowed to "charge" their meals, but if there is a child with no lunch, they do feed them something.

Answer 7

I am sorry your children are going through that. I am so glad my daughters does electronic lunch tickets. We send the money in and then when they go to the cafeteria to get there lunch they have to punch in there lunch number into the computer. My kindergartener loves this and was enthusiactic to memorize her number. This has cut down on forgetting lunch tickets. I like it and its been around for a couple of years.

Answer 8

Jamie Oliver!