to think that the prices in the canteen are too high.

[Secondme]

This is more of a are we being unreasonable, because many other school Mums feel the same at our school.
I'm not sure whether this is expensive or not but DD is a secondary school and has a canteen. They can choose what they want (open break too) but the selection is not very healthy.
Things like Pizza-£1.20 per slice. Main meal £2.10 for some rice and a some chicken, etc. (They can choose to not have veg) Plate of salad £2.10 Pudding £1, Panini £1.90, Hot chocolate £1.20
I don't like the system because they have a finger scanner so the children can buy anything they want all day. Some children have say, 2 slices of pizza, a hot chocolate and a muffin and a slushie for lunch. One girl has two hot chocolates a day, every day. I don't see how this can be a balanced diet for the children.
DD says that her friends all buy unhealthy lunches and she feels pressured into buying something at break because all the other kids say, 'It's not our Money'. She is very price conscious and often worries about it costing us too much. She now has a packed lunch every day.
AIBU to think that the prices are too high and the options the children are given are not healthy enough? (Even though I'm sure they get a lot more profit selling junk food). Do you think it depends the company that do the food?
(Sorry if this is long, don't want to sound like a really moany parent and all other aspects of the school are wonderful).

[MaureenMLove]

I think, that since your DD eats a healthy packed lunch, you should stop worrying about everyone elses kids!

I mean that in the nicest possible way, but it's all about looking after your own!

The costs sound about right for our school too, but we do have a fabulous canteen and the food is damn good though!

[HollyBerryBush]

How do you know what everyone elses children are eating?

Some children have say, 2 slices of pizza, a hot chocolate and a muffin and a slushie for lunch. One girl has two hot chocolates a day, every day


We have biometric scanners, which send a report home every month. Do you not think, if, say, a parent had an issue with that, they would, say, like, use parental prerogative and block the amount spent and foods bought? we can.

BTW I have no issue with that - DS3 has a healthy balanced lunch he takes, I don't have the time to fanny about with breakfast so he has a hot chocolate AND gasp a bacon bagel for breakfast ANF he might have a hot chocolate for lunch too.

[CloudsAndTrees]

I don't think it's over priced for food, but the hot chocolate is expensive. It's about the same as our secondary school canteen and it's less than you would pay in a cafe. I don't mind paying it as the food is good and there is a great choice. I wouldn't be able to buy those kind of lunches for those prices anywhere else.

The way I see it is, that's what the prices are and that's what's on offer. It's down to me as the parent to monitor what my child eats, not the school. We have a biometric system too, and I can see online exactly what has been bought. Ds knows that if he buys too much crap then his account will be limited and he will be made to make his own packed lunch. He takes responsibility for what he buys himself, which he is more than capable of doing by Y7.

[marriedinwhiteagain]

I would hope there are other healthier choices too. Ours have school lunch - fab food - lots of choice. At the last check it was 4.50 a day - each. Both indy. I don't think what other people's children eat or spend their money on is my business but I do think it's the school's business to make sure there are lots of choices and to keep budgets sensible. Can the children have a daily budget limit on the biometrics?

[FoundAChopinLizt]

At risk of sounding like Jamie Oliver, I do think it's everyone's business that children are only given healthy, reasonably priced meals in state schools. For some children it's their only chance at eating well and being exposed to proper food in their day.