School Meal Changes Leave Some Students With Growling Stomachs
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: September 26, 2012
School lunches around the Big Country and across the nation have had quite a change this school year.
New federal guidelines have not only changed what students eat, but how much.
A half a sandwich just might be the new "Sloppy Joe", at least for many school cafeterias and many kids around the big Coutnry aren't fans.
"I don't eat all of my food because either its disgusting or too cheesy, so yeah I'm hungry," said eight year old Shawn Butson.
"I think they should have more food and more choices," said elementary student Dallas Brown.
Some are leaving their trays a bit fuller than usual and parents like Rebecca Tschoepe are taking the brunt of it when her kids come home.
"Everyday they come home hungry," said Tschoepe.
The latest federal guidelines for school lunches only allow a limited amount of calories per meal.
It ranges from 550 for elementary students to 850 for high school students.
That leaves very little room for the usual favorites like tater tots and french fries.
"I have a first grader who everyday comes home starving because they're not getting enough too eat and what they are being fed is not kid friendly," said Tschoepe.
Sure kids are still being served classics like chicken nuggets and cheese sticks, just with a bit more salad on the side than meat.
"Now were trying to do more whole grains and the calories on some of those are higher so therefore it causes us to have to serve less," said Joann Knox, director of child nutrition for Abilene Independent School District.
Abilene school officials are trying change things up a bit by adding more of a variety of fruit like kiwi and hikima
But it doesn't leave some quite satisfied.
"Put something else in there besides cheese," said Butson.
Its a new culinary experience, officials say they'll just have to get used to.
AISD officials say they have to follow these rules in order to receive the much needed funding to supply students with meals.
They say students can purchase other items if they are still hungry, but for the most part they recommend parents packing up an extra snack.
New federal guidelines have not only changed what students eat, but how much.
A half a sandwich just might be the new "Sloppy Joe", at least for many school cafeterias and many kids around the big Coutnry aren't fans.
"I don't eat all of my food because either its disgusting or too cheesy, so yeah I'm hungry," said eight year old Shawn Butson.
"I think they should have more food and more choices," said elementary student Dallas Brown.
Some are leaving their trays a bit fuller than usual and parents like Rebecca Tschoepe are taking the brunt of it when her kids come home.
"Everyday they come home hungry," said Tschoepe.
The latest federal guidelines for school lunches only allow a limited amount of calories per meal.
It ranges from 550 for elementary students to 850 for high school students.
That leaves very little room for the usual favorites like tater tots and french fries.
"I have a first grader who everyday comes home starving because they're not getting enough too eat and what they are being fed is not kid friendly," said Tschoepe.
Sure kids are still being served classics like chicken nuggets and cheese sticks, just with a bit more salad on the side than meat.
"Now were trying to do more whole grains and the calories on some of those are higher so therefore it causes us to have to serve less," said Joann Knox, director of child nutrition for Abilene Independent School District.
Abilene school officials are trying change things up a bit by adding more of a variety of fruit like kiwi and hikima
But it doesn't leave some quite satisfied.
"Put something else in there besides cheese," said Butson.
Its a new culinary experience, officials say they'll just have to get used to.
AISD officials say they have to follow these rules in order to receive the much needed funding to supply students with meals.
They say students can purchase other items if they are still hungry, but for the most part they recommend parents packing up an extra snack.
Comments
Ridiculous. People say, "Oh it's just one simple law". But little by little, inch by inch, then mile by mile the government, most especially this current administration, is doing their best to take away our freedom. Government, get out of our daily lives!
Danny S.
September 27, 2012 at 9:16 am
Should the school also give kids a snack to tide them over until supper? I would buy my own on the way home. They can't eat enough at lunch to last all afternoon so eating a healthy meal is a good thing. Already they are fed a beakfast to last them until lunch. Thank you. Nita Holstine
Nita H.
September 27, 2012 at 8:53 am
