Taking the Socialism Out of School Lunches

[ClydeR]

WASHINGTON — House Republicans are proposing to let some schools opt out of healthier school lunch and breakfast programs if they are losing money.

More... (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/house-republicans-propose-letting-schools-opt-healthy-lunch-programs/)


Championed by first lady Michelle Obama, the new standards have been phased in over the last two school years, with more changes coming in 2014. The rules set fat, calorie, sugar and sodium limits on foods in the lunch line and beyond.

Freedom fries forever!

[cwolff]

Freedom fries forever!


The School Nutrition Association, which represents school nutrition directors and companies who sell food to schools, said Monday that schools need more room to make their own decisions.

Ya, no shit eh?

[Taernath]

How about Putin Fries?

http://cdn2.blisstree.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Poutine-490x418.jpg

[Back]

Republicans. Protect the people? Nah, protect the profits.

Profits before people!

[Warriorbird]

I'm pretty sure most of them are already cheating.

[Thondalar]

Republicans. Protect the people? Nah, protect the profits.

Profits before people!

This isn't anyone making a profit, you numbskull, it's the schools going broke.

[Back]

This isn't anyone making a profit, you numbskull, it's the schools going broke.

Schools are going broke because Michelle Obama said kids should be eating healthier?

And you call me the numbskull?

[Thondalar]

Schools are going broke because Michelle Obama said kids should be eating healthier?

And you call me the numbskull?

If that's your assessment of this situation, then yes. Did you even read the article?

[Thondalar]

I know, I know, reading is painful for you in large quantities. Here, let me help you:

"But Domokos-Bays and other school nutrition directors say the standards were put in place too quickly as kids get used to new tastes and school lunch vendors rush to reformulate their foods. When kids don’t buy lunch, or throw it away, it costs the schools precious dollars.

“The regulations are so prescriptive, so it’s difficult to manage not only the nutrition side of your businesses but the business side of your business,” Domokos-Bays said."

Note that by "business" in this context, she means her school.

Another perfect example of why regulation doesn't fix problems. Force schools to feed kids stuff they don't want to eat? Cool, kids don't eat. Are we now going to regulate schools to tie children down and force-feed them their tofu sandwiches on whole grain?

[Latrinsorm]

How about Putin Fries?You're on a roll today.

[cwolff]

You're on a roll today.

Are you punning? obscurely

[Warriorbird]

Schools already cheat. This just means they won't get in trouble over it. They're hardly going broke for this reason.

[cwolff]

Schools already cheat. This just means they won't get in trouble over it. They're hardly going broke for this reason.

How do they cheat?

[Warriorbird]

How do they cheat?

Our food quality seems to dip after the inspectors have already showed up.

[Thondalar]

Schools already cheat. This just means they won't get in trouble over it. They're hardly going broke for this reason.

Aren't you a teacher? You are aware that the different areas of your school fall into different categories in the school's budget, right? See, I used to work for the government too, in Institutional Foodservice...except my institution was a prison, not a school. Believe it or not though, they're run pretty much the same way. You have to order enough raw materials to cook enough food for every student...even if you know every student isn't going to be eating. The natural result of this is a net loss of money for the school's nutrition department, and a whole lot of food waste.

Having kids eat healthier is a great goal. Just like ACA...the idea is good. Noble, even. The execution leaves a lot to be desired. We need to be using a more logical, common sense approach to these situations, instead of just charging into them headfirst...unintended consequences? We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, amirite?

[Tgo01]

Darn Obama and his Republican policies!

[Warriorbird]

Aren't you a teacher? You are aware that the different areas of your school fall into different categories in the school's budget, right? See, I used to work for the government too, in Institutional Foodservice...except my institution was a prison, not a school. Believe it or not though, they're run pretty much the same way. You have to order enough raw materials to cook enough food for every student...even if you know every student isn't going to be eating. The natural result of this is a net loss of money for the school's nutrition department, and a whole lot of food waste.

Having kids eat healthier is a great goal. Just like ACA...the idea is good. Noble, even. The execution leaves a lot to be desired. We need to be using a more logical, common sense approach to these situations, instead of just charging into them headfirst...unintended consequences? We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, amirite?

I've sat in on the Budget Committee meetings. We're in a lot worse shape in other areas. Do I think you might have a point if they actually obeyed the law? You very well might.

[Thondalar]

I've sat in on the Budget Committee meetings. We're in a lot worse shape in other areas. Do I think you might have a point if they actually obeyed the law? You very well might.

So you're saying that because your school "cheats" (which I still don't get...isn't your lunch menu posted months in advance? I don't recall either of my children mentioning any variances in their posted lunch meals...I guess my schools just follow the rules?) it means the nutrition directors across the country that are bringing this before congress are just making it up?

[Warriorbird]

So you're saying that because your school "cheats" (which I still don't get...isn't your lunch menu posted months in advance? I don't recall either of my children mentioning any variances in their posted lunch meals...I guess my schools just follow the rules?) it means the nutrition directors across the country that are bringing this before congress are just making it up?

They only post their menus one month in advance here. I don't think they're making it up, but I'm also not sure that means that lunch funding is the worst budgeting issue all of them face.

[cwolff]

I think the point is that we probably shouldn't measure the success of school lunches by the bottom line. If they really want to turn a profit the school could just open a MacDonalds franchise or Taco Bell and scrap the lunches completely.

[Tgo01]

I don't think schools are looking to make a profit off of their lunches.

[cwolff]

I don't think schools are looking to make a profit off of their lunches.

Ya, if they break even they'll be happy. And there's no sense wasting food. The below example is retarded. You can lead a kid to apples, but you can't make him eat.


Fruits and vegetables. The standards require every student to take a fruit or vegetable to create a balanced plate. The reaction among students has been mixed. “If the kids don’t eat the food, then all I have is healthy trash cans,” said Peggy Lawrence, director of nutrition at the Rockdale County Public Schools in Georgia.

[Taernath]

You're on a roll today.

Nobody but you cracked the code. :)

[Jarvan]

Ya, if they break even they'll be happy. And there's no sense wasting food. The below example is retarded. You can lead a kid to apples, but you can't make him eat.

Believe it or not, depending on the area you are in, it can be illegal to donate food that is not in it's own sealed container, or that has been handled by others, to a food bank or soup kitchen.

Now.. maybe the school district could violate the laws and do it anyway, but I doubt you want the city violating it's laws.

It also depends on the type of food service they use. If they use a cook-chill method, they could likely donate the leftovers if it hasn't even been heated yet.

But.. using your example.... once food has been on someone's plate, it can not be saved and later donated to a food bank or soup kitchen. It's a violation of most, if not all, cities food safety laws.. not to mention basic common sense.

That's the problem tho with well thought out healthy meals served at school. Unless you make the kid eat it as part of their grade or something.. they won't. Which results in waste. Which also means the kid isn't getting a healthy lunch anyway, and you just wasted even more money on that lunch then normal.

Healthy school lunches are a great idea. Alas, until kids decide they want to EAT healthy.... it really won't work.

[Delcry]

House Republicans should be more concerned about passing amnesty for the poor, undocumented Americans and let Michelle Obama fix our school lunch crisis as she has been doing.

[Wrathbringer]

House Republicans should be more concerned about continuing to be the brakes on the obummer crazy train and let Michelle Obama act like whatever it is she has been doing actually makes a difference.

Fixed that for ya.

[Delcry]

Fixed that for ya.

That's not fixed. Michelle was doing some good work for the children because parents can't do it alone. These are OUR children. This is OUR future. And if you can't understand that, then step aside and let us drag you to a new tomorrow.

[Thondalar]

Ya, if they break even they'll be happy. And there's no sense wasting food. The below example is retarded. You can lead a kid to apples, but you can't make him eat.

Exactly. The problem is, you have to have enough food on hand in case every kid wants to eat that day. Which means you waste a ton of food when half of them don't. These schools aren't breaking even, they're losing money.

[Thondalar]

I don't think they're making it up, but I'm also not sure that means that lunch funding is the worst budgeting issue all of them face.

Nobody said it was. The article that started this entire thread is simply pointing out the unintended consequences of the legislation.