loads of research has shown the average packed lunch is lower in nutrition than school dinners in over 80% of cases
most packed lunches had very little protein
average packed lunch ( not a MN lunch) is 2 slices of white bread with butter/ spread and either jam. 1 slice of ham or cheese with a squash type drink a packet of crisps and some sort of cake/ biscuit less than 50% have any form of fruit or veg
the cheese sandwich may have enough protein but the ham needs to be 1 thick slice or 3 wafer thin slices so on that basis 2 sausages mashed potatoes and baked beans is streaks ahead
we are in Scotland school lunches are fine at DD's state primary; there are only chips on fridays it is a three week cycle, there is 1 roast dinner, 2 x pasta, 3 x fish, pizza and burger once in 3 week cycle 1 curry, steak pie, fajitas, omelettes meatballs or mince there are 2 veg every day which are compulsory there is always a vegetarian alternative along the same lines so tomato pasta when its spaghetti bolognese, cheese and leek pie instead of steak pie, quorn burger
3 times a week you can have homemade soup as a starter instead of a pudding
puddings cake type 1-2 times a week, fruit and yogurt twice a week then either stewed fruit and custard or fruit and ice-cream
they are £2.20 but free for P1-3, so £11 per week which can be expensive for lower income families just above the free school meal level