by fpz95 in Schools and Youth
Posted on September 10, 2012 at 4:13 pm
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I’m so sick of the food at the Somerville high school. You have the choice of a small portion of nasty whatever it is with a side of nasty and need to take a fruit, carrots or a milk. You’re other option is a small portion of processed meat known as a cheeseburger or chicken patty with two gross wheat buns; also needed with a fruit, carrots or a milk. I’m just waiting for the salad bar to start up because you can put as much as you want on the plate. What I don’t understand is we have a culinary arts in our school with amazing ingredients and deliciously made food. Why can’t we have some of that in cafeteria instead of JUST being sold in the restaurant. They are supposedly “trying” to get kids to shape up and eat healthier. There is a difference between getting kids to be healthy and starving them like they are slaves. Whether I have 1st, 2nd or 3rd lunch, the portion just isn’t enough. By the end of the day my stomach is in so much pain that I need to rush home and get some more food into my body. The school seems to have money for the stupidest things that we just DON’T need. I should seriously start stepping up and do something about this. It’s unfair to the students.
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Sounds like both the quality and quantity of cafeteria food is lacking. Have you tried complaining to any teachers or administrators about this? Also, have you considered bringing food to school?
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My daughter just complained strongly about the skimpy quantity of food that comes with school lunch too. She’s a varsity athlete of average weight. If she goes to practice hungry, she can’t really give her all. I wrote to food services on the Schools website. I hope you will too.
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I believe you have some allies on the school committee. Contact Roberta Bauer. She has taken stands in the past that were very unpopular but correct, sound, and courageous.
Please keep us posted. What you describe is indeed unacceptable.
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The salad bar finally came out, but it’s a lot different from last year. We had to decide between a bag of chicken or a stick of cheese. The other opions were pizza with salad or cheeseburgers. I might write in our schools newspaper about the cafeteria food and interview some students and or teachers about their opinions of the food. I did bring a school lunch today and I feel a lot more fuller than the other days. The problem with everyone bringing themselves a lunch is most and or some people might not have the kind of money to buy the pricey foods at the super market. I’ve talked to a couple of people who have also complained about stomach pains towards the end of the day due to the small portions of food. The good news is that the salad bar is now open, but it didn’t look very good. Such as the brown and old looking lettuce. That’s basically all my thoughts for now.
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I don’t think Ms. Mancini will mind my sharing her reply regarding my inquiry:
I am not sure if you are familiar with the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010 which was passed in July. What this law does is regulates what can be offered in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program. This year many changes have gone into effect because of the new law.
Last school year, we had to offer a minimum of protein daily. This school year we now have maximums daily. For example, last year we had to serve a minimum of 2 oz of protein a day- so we usually served 3 oz. But, this year, the maximum protein that can be served daily is 2 oz- that is a significant change. Most likely what your daughter is noticing. The HHFKA focuses on increasing fruits and vegetables and whole grains, as you many know in Somerville this is something we have been doing for many years. The new HHFKA is mirroring My Plate- have you ever seen that? Where they want half your plate fruits and vegetables. I think a key to making these new regulations work is making sure students eat breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch then a snack before sports or whatever evening activity and then dinner. The lunch program is not meant to hold students over from 11 o’clock when they may eat until dinner time at 6 or even 7pm.
I hope this makes sense. I am more than happy to discuss this further with you.
Best,
Lauren Mancini RD, SNS
Director of Food and Nutrition Services
Somerville Public Schools
42 Cross Street
Somerville, MA 02145
617-625-6600 x 6087
Fax: 617-666-5451
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