I’ve recently started volunteering during my kid’s elementary school lunch as a small way to help make the MMSD school meals program better. I help out at service with the kindergarten, first, and second grades. I’ve learned a lot already about what this program is really like and also what change will require.
First, I’ve corrected some of my own misconceptions:
- The quality of the food is generally pretty good, at least comparable to what I see served at my workplace’s cafe or from the to-go counter of a typical grocery store. I’ve been impressed by the salads and other fresh produce like carrots and cherry tomatoes. The hot food often looks less appetizing but I really believe this is about the packaging more than anything. Really, can any meal look good steamed up inside a plastic container.
- At least at our school, the lunch environment is fun, casual, and fairly calm, not chaotic. Kids eat and talk with their friends, and the school staff assigned to lunch help open packages and visit with them. I enjoy sitting down and having chats with kids in ways that I can’t if I’m helping out in the classroom.
- Kids have enough time to eat (again, at least at our school). Kids have about 20-25 minutes to eat their food and they don’t seem rushed. Of course, some eat more quickly than others, but I don’t see kids cramming food in their faces or complaining of not having enough time. (In other words: If you pack your kids’ lunch and some of it’s coming home untouched, it’s likely because they didn’t like it. And if you give them a sweet treat in their lunch, I guarantee you they’re eating that first!)