When I was reading the comments of the article, “Children Tossing School Lunch Fruits and Vegetables”, the most common trend that I found was that most of the adults understands why the children are throwing away lunches especially fruits and vegetables. Based on their topics, most people talked about how bland and high processed food the schools serve.
Since majority of the commentators seems to be adults, it was very fascinating how they still remember the experiences they also experienced being served overcooked and bland food when they were young. Commentator Susan stated, “The vegetable in the school cafeteria were mushy and tasteless and I threw them in the bin along with my classmates, not because I didn’t like vegetables but because they tasted so ghastly”. Other commenters also said similar statements just like Susan and it shows how they think the school lunch needs to be improved. This pattern shows how the majority of commenters do understand what the students are thinking.
Other commenters are also suggesting other ways for children to eat the fruits and vegetables better. Commentator CD says, “Kids will eat their veggies and fruit if they are tasty- ripe, not mealy, and flavorful. Slice up the fruit-it’s easier to eat that way, especially in the (teeth) “gap” year. Roast the veggies and serve them.” Others are focusing that the problem is not just the food itself but who also works in the kitchen like commenter patarroyo stated, “The solution is hire real cooks (which means paying real wages) who take raw ingredients and turn them into real food.”
A very interesting comment came from educators themselves, commentator librianna stated, “As a teacher who eats a lot of fruits and vegetables in my own personal diet I wouldn’t eat the vegetables or fruit provided to any schools where I have worked.” This shows that even teachers doesn’t agree with the standards of the school lunches. While other educators like this commenter stated that she is a principal, “I am the principal of a K-8 charter school. We have offered organic meals prepared by a trained chef in the past, really delicious foods. However, the cost of the program was too great for many students, and it failed.” This comment is very crucial because even though educators would love to have children to have better meals they cannot provide it well because of funds that is spent in the school lunches.
Many commentator also put additional facts that connect the article, for example, Stephanie Higgins wrote, “The government gives schools only about $2-$3 as a reimbursement per free student lunch. This has to cover both ingredients and labor costs.” This is very helpful to readers like myself because it shows on of the many reasons why it is hard for schools to keep their budget running. So they need to compromise the lunches and sacrifice the quality of foods being served.
Based on the statements, commentators want lunches to improve even though there is action already taken place. I noticed that many of the commentators are concerned of what children are eating nowadays. I agree on a lot of them since the majority of the commentators wants a change program of serving foods that is not appealing to students.This made me think about how these lunches are for students to adapt and actually enjoy eating fruits and vegetables. I think having healthier menus is possible for schools but I think budget is the main concern because, there is only a limited amount of money to provide the school lunch system in schools. On the downside, I haven’t seen a comment that concerns about the childhood obesity and connecting with the healthier school lunches but this was a great start to actually know people’s statements to keep students have a healthy diet through school lunches.
Healthier School Lunches 