NY Father Shares Photos Of His Son's Ridiculous School Lunches, Gets Other Parents Concerned
Children in school not only need to be nourished mentally from their lessons but as well as physically. They must eat the right kind and amount of food to keep up with every school activity.
Schools prepare meals in accordance with the strict guidelines from the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) regarding the National School Lunch Program. But the question is, do school meals follow these requirements and make adequate meals for children?
This concern was raised as Chris Vangellow, a father from an upstate New York high school, had sparked conversations when he posted his son's meals on Facebook, which have been served for the past months. He has pointed out that the meals were not enough and that his son, who was an athlete, was complaining about his school lunches.
Vangellow wrote in his post, "It really is ridiculous. Don't come at me with the 'you get what you pay for' or 'just send them with food' crap either."
He also mentioned how many children in their area rely on these meals that they have to survive on throughout the day. "In my opinion, this is failing those kids," Vangellow explained as the inadequate and unappetizing meals will affect each children's learning and performance in school.
Christopher's deleted post on Facebook about his son's lunches.
Vangellow stated that all of his children are attending Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District. At that time, he posted his 16-year-old son's meal which consisted of four chicken nuggets, a side of carrots, a side of rice, and a carton of fat-free chocolate milk, but one of his other children was not able to get any of those carrots when he arrived during his lunch break.
Christopher Vangellow / FacebookChicken nuggets, a lump of rice and a handful of carrots for lunch in a school under USDA guidelines.
Christopher Vangellow / FacebookA slice of pizza with three slices of oranges and milk.
"The problem is that not all families can do that. We don't live in a very rich area," Vangellow emphasized how every child can't buy additional lunch or bring something from their home.
Christopher Vangellow / FacebookEgg and a bread roll, with three orange slices.
Christopher Vangellow / FacebookAnother free lunch provided by the school.
Christopher Vangellow / FacebookThe school's reply to the viral Facebook post.
In response to Vangellow's viral Facebook post, Superintendent William E. Collins posted a public message on Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District's website. He had mentioned how they are addressing the problem and are creating groups of students, parents, and representatives from the Wellness Committee, including himself and the Cafeteria Manager, to work on the meal preparations.
"The concerns expressed clearly resonated with students and parents as evidenced by the number of comments and shares. In fairness to the cafeteria, students are allowed one more serving of fruits or vegetables and one additional nugget than appeared in the photograph; however, this doesn't alter the message that many students and parents are dissatisfied with school lunches."Parents and schools should work hand-in-hand to give children the education and health needs. This event will serve as a reminder for everyone to keep in mind how proper body nutrition is equally important to the nutrition of the mind.
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