Aibu to be annoyed about school lunch?

[Kara198]

I've always encouraged my boys to try new food and been pretty relaxed about it. They're both really good eaters and they know if they try something they really don't like I will let them have something else, even if just toast. It's rare that they don't like stuff.
Today my 5yo came home starving. It turns out he asked for a new chicken dish at lunch and he didn't like it. He asked if he could switch to meatballs and they said no.
So he got literally no food, he said they wouldn't let him have dessert.
I'm pretty annoyed as the first thing he said was "I wish I just chose the meatballs as I know I like those".
Is this standard practice in schools to not let them choose something else if they don't like their food? It may well be. Just seems a bit shitty! 😞
Don't want to raise it if this is the norm.
Thanks

@Quornflakegirl

I’m confused that this doesn’t make sense to you!

It does... I asked a question and I got told the answer. So now it makes sense. That's how it works when you ask a question usually. Don't need all the , it's just wierd and patronising. Just answer the question and move on??

I'm not sure I believe they wouldn't let him have a dessert because he didn't like his lunch.

I'd check that with the school if I were you.

It does... I asked a question and I got told the answer. So now it makes sense.

I think the reason I and other posters are confused is because it makes complete sense that the children cannot effectively have meals per day just incase they don't like one. Surely it's just common sense that they can't have 2 meals just as you wouldn't expect another meal in a restaurant if you didn't like the option you'd chosen.

@Skyll

This is standard I’m afraid in schools. Imagine how they’d work the catering out otherwise.

And yes, if he didn’t eat his main course it’s standard not to get dessert because then all the kids would want the dessert not their dinner.

It must be area dependent then because in the Primary schools around here, the dessert is served at the same time as the main.

In primary schools, they usually cook to order these days. They wouldn't have enough to swap. Its annoying, but maybe in future its best if he only orders what he knows that he likes while in school.

@whistleryukon

He can't have been that hungry, or he would have eaten the chicken he asked for. Don't be one of those parents.

I hate this point of view - it’s just not true - lots of kids will go hungry rather than eat something they really don’t like.

At DDs school, they would still get to have pudding and any available sides. They wouldn't get another main though. Was the sauce over the rice/potatoes etc? Otherwise I would have expected him to eat that bit.

I know they all have to be healthy schools blah blah but you’ve paid for the bloody meal, give him the pudding. Can’t stand the officious attitude to food.

DS quite often comes home telling me he didn't eat all his dinner as there were bits he didn't like (reception aged). But they don't get a choice of meals. The menu is posted at the end of the week for the following week so we can decide whether to send packed lunch or not. Each morning the kids say if they're on packed lunch or school dinner.
Reception class also have plenty of snacks throughout the day including milk and toast and 2 - 3 portions of fruit so they probably won't go hungry.

At ours they have to queue up again to get desert (though table service now apparently) and only get it if they've eaten enough of their mains or they get some fruit instead.

No he shouldn't get two dinners.

@Noeuf

I know they all have to be healthy schools blah blah but you’ve paid for the bloody meal, give him the pudding. Can’t stand the officious attitude to food.

I'd be very surprised if they stopped him having the pudding.

@coffeepleeease

I'd be annoyed that he wasn't allowed dessert!

Exactly!! Why not!

@whistleryukon

He can't have been that hungry, or he would have eaten the chicken he asked for. Don't be one of those parents.

Absolute rubbish!

Was there nothing on there he would have eaten?
Today mine had fajitas. He's not keen on peppers/onions so had a tiny bit of chicken, a wrap and put lots of cheese on top.
So effectively a cheese wrap.
If it's roast dinner he will eat the meat and veg (doesn't like potatoes). If it's chicken curry he'll mainly eat the rice.
I'm surprised there was nothing he could eat.

@Noeuf

I know they all have to be healthy schools blah blah but you’ve paid for the bloody meal, give him the pudding. Can’t stand the officious attitude to food.

Agree!

Our school make us preordained as there used to be loads of waste or the older kids who ate last had no choice and had to have what was left.
No way would there be enough food if someone didn't like their food.
Shame for your son though op at least he tried it x

Wow SliceofCake that's a lot of snacks! In Reception DD got 1 small piece of fruit at morning break. Milk was OK offer too, although we never paid for it once she was 5, as she wouldn't drink it.

In my kids' primary school, they order their lunch in the morning when the register is taken so that's what is cooked. But there is always sandwiches available (or can be quickly made up) so if they dont like the hot option they ordered, they can get a sandwich. There is also the salad bar and the fruit. And they get their pudding at the same time so that wont be denied.

There should have been something available for him.

I’m sorry op but I also struggle with why you could not grasp there isn’t an endless free supply of food for kids to try what they want, not like it, and go for a second or third meal till they find one they want. You can’t really have thought that’s what occured?

Op, I work as a midday with children the same age as your dc, and unfortunately that is the usual protocol, funding etc. However, if I have a child that I know usually eats very well and just don't like the food they happen to have chosen that day, i will get them something like cheese and crackers as an alternative and also without a doubt let them eat their chosen dessert. It isn't loved by the kitchen staff but at the end of the day I didn't like to see the children go hungry. I'd hate my own dc to go hungry all day. So yes, I agree, at the very least the midday not letting your dc eat dessert was very arsey.

@BendingSpoons

At DDs school, they would still get to have pudding and any available sides. They wouldn't get another main though. Was the sauce over the rice/potatoes etc? Otherwise I would have expected him to eat that bit.

From the way he described it it sounds like a curry? It's an Infants only school so we don't get visibility of the menu as the kids all eat for free! Bit annoying really

@Bluntness100

I’m sorry op but I also struggle with why you could not grasp there isn’t an endless free supply of food for kids to try what they want, not like it, and go for a second or third meal till they find one they want. You can’t really have thought that’s what occured?

Clearly no, I didn't think that he would be offered 2 or 3 meals. I did think they would offer him something though. Sorry for my ignorance, must be out of touch.

I do think he should have been allowed pudding.

At our primary they seem to get it whatever.

And I think they can add bread and salad to whatever they’re having

@Ifonlyidknownthen that's lovely to hear and how I imagined it would/should be.
Maybe I've just overthought this it just made me feel sad for him.
Will tell him to just stick to what he knows at school in the future to avoid the issue. Sounds like IABU so i wont raise it with the school.

I know that in England free school meals are given to a certain age. But I'd be sending my kids in with sandwiches if they are know to be picky.

As it is, in Wales we don't get blanket free school meals for all.