With Kids Saying 'Yuck,' Some US Schools Quit Healthy-Lunch Program

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10. After reading this, I thought I'd check out what my son had today

I hadn't checked the menu and today was his first day of school. Today was Cheesesteak, California Mix Veggies, Cucumber Slices w/Lite Dip Cinnamon Applesauce and Milk. If kids bought breakfast today, they would have had Breakfast Pizza, Fresh Fruit, Fruit Juice, Milk.

Thursday sounds filling, totally filled with starch that is, unless those are the toppings on the nachos -- Beef & Cheese Nachos, Savory Steamed Brown Rice, Seasoned Corn, Refried Beans, Lettuce/Tomato/Salsa, Chilled Pears, Milk. I imagine that Thursday afternoon will be a major carb crash for most of the student body.

Luckily there are other daily options: Seasonal Fresh Fruit, Veggie Burger, Chef Salad, Tuna Salad Sandwich, Yogurt & Cheese Platter, plus weekly sandwich options.

I also found out that meals were continued for families through the summer, Mondays through Thursdays. It looks like inner city schools provided both breakfast and lunch, where the more suburban schools provided lunches. One school in each area also had several "Family Dinner" nights on Wednesdays throughout the summer. There was a $20 weekly fee if you signed your kids up for meals along with a half day summer camp (5-12yo). This program looks like it was offered at 14 public schools in our district. Their flyer reads "Who is Eligible? All children 18 years of age and under are eligible to receive FREE meals. No need to apply for the program - just bring yourself and enjoy tasty & nutritious meals".

Last night at the meet/greet w/ homeroom teachers, I heard that a lot of kids were coming in from Philadelphia-area schools. One 8th grade boy was walking to all his classrooms alone and introducing himself to all his teachers - no mom/gmom or dad/gdad with him.