Quorn every day on school lunch menu

[BlackInk]

AIBU to be annoyed that the vegetarian option at my DC's primary school is Quorn 4 days out of 5?

My DC are aged 6 and 9, and have been vegetarian since birth. They are having school lunches at the moment for the first time ever because we're having our kitchen replaced at home.

The reason I've never tried to persuade them to have school dinners before is that the veggie option has always been almost exclusively Quorn. I'm not keen on Quorn myself and we rarely eat it at home. DC have never really liked it. But regardless of that, would it really be healthy/balanced to eat the same highly processed meat substitute every day? Isn't it the same as only serving Bird's Eye Fish Fingers every day?

The veggie options are always an exact replica of the meat offering - so Quorn hotpot, BBQ Quorn, Quorn and apple (??), Quorn Bolognese was last week.

Does anyone else think this isn't very good? I know I can give my DC packed lunches and that it's my choice they are vegetarian, but I'm not just thinking about us.

Thanks :)

[Nothisispatrick]

Not very creative is it? Is there no baked potato or sandwich option?

[PinkGin24]

I think YABU. Vegetarians are probabky the minority (and in this case it was forced on them). Why should two completely different meals have to be cooked rather than just substituting the meat for quorn?

[Bouncebacker]

Ours only serve Quorn twice a week max this week it’s quorn hotdog, roasted veggie lasagne, pizza, falafel with pitta and salad, Quorn Bolognese,

Next week veggie fajitas (or macaroni cheese - meat free Monday), sweet and sour quorn with rice, veggie bake with crispy topping (?), quorn sausage casserole, sandwich platter

So ours isn’t massively exciting but YANBU - quorn every day is rubbish!

[BareGrylls]

Most schools use only Halal meat in order to cater for a minority. It wouldn't be a stretch to say schools should serve only vegetarian food. At least only one meal would need to be provided and everyone could eat it.
I'm not vegetarian but would have no problem with my children eating veggie school meals.

[Bouncebacker]

(And there are lots of vegetarians at school - and those who don’t eat pork, or beef for religious reasons - I’d say nearly half the kids have the ‘green token’ option everyday

[SavoyCabbage]

I know a school where there are only vegetarian options.

[Sugarformyhoney]

Yabu it’s bad form and lazy to offer so much quorn

[MorningsEleven]

It shows quite a lack of imagination.

[IWannaSeeHowItEnds]

Yanbu. It's a lazy option. Some people get stomach ache with Quorn. Not hard to do a veg chilli or Bolognese or even a jacket spud.

[Nesssie]

YABU. They are having the same meals as everyone else (hotpot, bolognese etc) just substituting the meat for a meat alternative.

If the meat dishes were as above, and the veg option was always quorn and chips, then you could say something. But as they are getting a different meal everyday then YABU

[OutPinked]

YANBU. Not very imaginative at all or healthy, agreed it’s akin to offering fish fingers or turkey dinosaurs every day... Vegetarian food is very easy, they need to rethink things. Also worth noting many non vegetarian children like the vegetarian options too. They don’t need to eat meat every lunch just because they can.

[Sockwomble]

Digestive problems with quorn are fairly common so it isn't a good idea to have it that often.

[TiddleTaddleTat]

I agree. My DC are not vegetarian and usually eats the meat option but we don't generally eat much meat as a family, I've encouraged her to choose the veggie option sometimes thinking it'll be healthier. But they just make the same (meat) recipe and substitute the meat for quorn. It's processed food and veg and lentils/beans would be far better. FWIW, this school is very highly regarded for its independent and freshly made school dinners.

[ChocolateCard]

What about if they just try the chicken option, or whatever’s on offer that day?

[Hoppinggreen]

We struggle with this at DDs School, She’s a vegetarian but also allergic to Quorn. Most days she has a cheese sandwich or nothing at all.
She’s not allowed to take a packed lunch and the lunches are pretty expensive paid termly in advance so not only can’t she eat it I’m paying for them

[PoutySprout]

You’re lucky. DD’s school’s veggie option is a cheese roll. Every day.

[whatsthepointthen]

What about if they just try the chicken option, or whatever’s on offer that day?

[Perfectly1mperfect]

what about if they just try the chicken option, or whatever’s on offer that day?

There's always one. 🙄

[Bombardier25966]

Most schools use only Halal meat in order to cater for a minority.

That's not actually true. Do you live in Daily Mail Land?

[RiverTam]

that's rubbish. DD is also veggie from birth and whilst she doesn't like most of the options and ends up eating a baked spud 4 days out of 5, at least there's something better than that on offer.

We never eat Quorn at home.

[whatsthepointthen]

Probably because chicken isnt vegeterian ChocolateCard What a stupid suggestion.

[Oliversmumsarmy]

What about if they just try the chicken option, or whatever’s on offer that day

???

Because they are vegetarian

[BlackInk]

Thanks everyone.

There's soup (made from a powder) as a 3rd option on 4 days, but it's not always vegetarian.

On 1 day a week jacket potato or pizza or veggie burger and chips is an option.

PinkGin24 Vegetarians are a minority, but it's becoming much more common as people realise the environmental impact of eating large quantities of meat. There are also children at my DC school who are vegetarian for religious reasons (Hindu, Muslim, etc.). I absolutely haven't forced vegetarianism on my children. Their dad eats meat. We weaned them without meat or fish as babies and they have been well-informed and free to chose since then. Would you be happy if your DC were fed Bernard Matthews Turkey Dinosaurs every day?
And - even if I had forced vegetarianism on my DC - that wouldn't be their fault and they would still be entitled to a reasonably balanced school diet?

[BlackInk]

Eeek, loads of replies whilst I was compiling my reply to the first few! Thanks folks, will have a read :)

[FridgeFullOfChocolate]

Well you’ve chosen to make them vegetarian so you can’t really complain. If you want them to eat better allow them to eat meat, they won’t have to eat Quorn at all then.