Those of you with DC at College - do they take a packed lunch?

[MartagonLilies]

DS is about to start college, and has said he doesn't want to take one in with him. According to him, none of the others in his class did on the trial days, and he'd rather go to the canteen there.

Do your DC pack a lunch? Or should I pay for his lunches? If they buy there, how much do they spend on average?

Mine does but he's always been a fussy eater.

I never did, the college canteen did really good food! Veggie lasagna, salad, and garlic bread for £1.20 was my go to lunch (over a decade ago!)

I never did when I was at college. I ate at the canteen using my EMA to pay for it.

I teach at a college - given the choice they’d all buy their lunches but some find canteen too pricy (it’s not particularly but even I baulk at buying lunch every day as it adds up at £3/4 a day for a sandwich and drink) - but some walk to the shops for cheaper stuff like pasties and sausage rolls and some do bring packed lunches and find a quiet spot to eat with pals.

DS did because his timetable was such that he only had short gaps at appropriate times for lunch and there would have been a risk that he wouldn't have time to queue and get lunch and be finished in time for his next lesson. I was quite relieved because the meals at his college were quite expensive.

Thanks for all the answers - still not sure what the majority vote is though

He starts next week, and is in for 3 days, FT, if that's relevant.

Yes, mine all did. I thought they would be embarrassed, but they werent, or at least, they overcame it

DS started off using the canteen then realised that Greggs etc down the road was much cheaper. The canteen prices were a rip off. It didn’t do his weight/fitness any good though 😞

Mine is starting 2nd year and has asked for advice on bulk lunchbox recipes. So cook up a few chicken breasts and use half cold with salads, rice or in sandwiches.
That’s because last year his lunch break was short, at the end of serving time so all the nice stuff had gone, and a long way from the canteen. Also the prices are only good value for people on full grant subsidies.
It’s quite cool and hipsterish in his circles to bring in a lovingly prepared lunch. But I sent him off with a couple of Sistema salad boxes and some “Tuna Mexicana” tins (ringpull with their own forks). That’s what I take if I know I’m going to be eating on the hoof!

This sort of thing.

DD used the canteen.

Another college teacher. I take a packed lunch myself as the canteen food tends to be overpriced and isn’t that great imo. Some students walk to nearby shops for grub.