School demanding packed meals for 18 hr bus trip

[Snoopmummy]

DC is off on a school trip involving an 18 hour coach journey. School is demanding we drop children off in the evening having fed them (fine), equipped with nut free snacks (makes sense). We have also been asked to provide TWO meals: a packed breakfast and a packed lunch.

That means breakfast will be consumed 13 hours after they set off and lunch will be something like 17 hours later. Is there any food that can safely last for that length of time in an insulated bag or flask? DC does not like dried fruit or cereal bars.

AIBU to consider asking for the risk assessment over this and suggesting we equip them with money to get food on the way as they will need to stop anyway?!

Good bloody point about the return journey @Blondeshavemorefun ! I would also add a journey on motorway I hope would be shorter than 18 hours though with a toddler I agree you need to convert to dog years as it can be painful!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think this thread would rumble on for so many pages for something relatively insignificant and niche.

I know 😂

On similar trips I've done, the hotel provides packed food for the return journey.

i’ve not read the full thread but jeez @Snoopmummy you are being OTT, risk assessment indeed for requesting you send some food with your DC!

Treat it like a DOE send light things in wrappers they can dispose of after consuming. Do not send a thermos as that will either come back stinking & unwashed or get lost.

Buy some ready made /wrapped crepes from the supermarket. You could buy a ready lunch that does not require refrigeration and send with a disposable fork. You might like this at Waitrose: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/john-west-on-the-go-mediterranean-style-tuna-salad/038412-19157-19158

Some cheddars/crackers for a snack. Send oranges/banana /apple as long life fruit and fruit juice cartons for nutrients.

Find it questionable that you are concerned about insufficient nutrients in sending food with them but you would be happy to send money for service station food. Do you really think they’d go for a fresh, healthy option there?😂

18 hours bus trip could be from one end of london to the other

Interesting that this is a private school and therefore there seem to be higher expectations. I wonder if private schools pay their staff to attend these trips in school holidays because state schools don’t?

So that would be zero trips you’ve actually organised and ran ?

Think it was 4hrs we were stuck not moving due to accident

Was only 20mins from home they joys of m25

Luckily she slept a bit but was a long 4hrs

Thank god we had snacks !!

Maybe ask teachers what will they say on the return 18hr journey

when dc went skiing the parents paid a tab at the local ski hut for the teachers.
not in UK but here the teachers get overtime payments for school trips (as they should imo)

I find it that you get on a coach at say 10pm and you're getting off at say 3pm next day and the food you've packed for the journey is now " horrid" and " unpalatable and inedible.

Seriously 🤷‍♀️

Obviously if you've got some oysters in your lunch box. But even a salad would be fine with a cool pack next to it.

They get on about four hours earlier @sunglassesonthetable . I am sorry this thread has wound you up so much 😬. I’m off to try and do some work to pay for the trip and fees 😀 - and the packed oysters.

Don't worry not wound up. @Snoopmummy

Oyster knife as well? 😉

And hope your DS has a fab time . 👋🏼

But your prince likes a hot meal..... not nasty cold oysters!

How on earth will poppet manage?

Oh give over, I bet no one has seen you @Anothernewname123 in the same room ever.....

She was hateful and rude about teachers and about the standard in which we communicated

This really is First world problems!

Pack your child up with a lunch/snacks/breakfast or whatever - you have plenty of options, not everything has to be refrigerated.

You honestly wont need icepacks/flasks/risk assessments etc etc.

This is what is happening with us. A hot meal at the hotel and packed meal for the journey.