...to think that expecting a class full of 6 year olds to eat large chunks of tomato is loony?

[bloss]

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I'm more surprised lunchtime is at 1pm for a class of 6 year olds.

And if she was she'd eat what was offered.

Bloss - I agree with you. Loony school policy. And far too long not to eat. Kids have small stomachs, need to eat little and often. Needs a piece of toast, a few nuts or a cracker or something. Kids should be allowed to bring in own snack (no sugar/crisps).

What kind of school is she at?

Most schools have lunch earlier than that.

yabu ...sorry
dd doesn't like the oranges much

Naturalbornmum, I think it's pretty widely agreed that carrot sticks are a more accessible and appealing snack than huge unpeeled carrots. I've encountered carrot sticks on plenty of lunch/buffet/party tables in my time, but never seen huge unpeeled carrots served (to humans) anywhere else apart from at the school. And not a single child out of a class of 30 tried one; they all chose the alternative.

a chunk of tomato is not going to make any difference to her hunger really is it?

1 is late for a littlie to eat actually. At DD's school they have a snack (they bring) between breakfast and lunch.

mel

My DD was a never a big fan of carrots but likes them like that. I think people can be a bit precious about their DC eating.

Now I do think that you have a valid point to raise with the head in that 1 is too late for lunch for a 6yo. What time does she get to school at? The dcs have breakfast at 7.30 but they are at school by 8.10. Neither have to wait until 1 for lunch though.

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yabu

I bet loads pf them don't touch the tomatoes.

I empty the bins on the fruit and milk rota and on tomato days there are always loads left...surprisinlgy on banana days as well.

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Unless there are leftovers from the day before, I don't think the school actually have a choice in the matter. The fruit is brought in daily from whoever the LA has organised to distribute it around schools. I do sympathise as I have the exact same problem, but we know that Wednesdays are Tomato Days and bring in a banana.

Don't understand why she can't take a snack, that seems to be normal in any state school. I don't bother half the time but will let her take a biscuit or two if she asks. I don't think the fruit is about stopping them being hugry it seems to be a lot more to do with the whole 5 a day thing and promoting healthy eating.

But DD has breakfast at about 8:15 lunch is at 12:30 so not that long to go.

what time does she get to school? could she not have a piece of toast or a banana on the way if she has her breakfast so early?

or just bolster her confidence about eating her own fruit, problem solved.

I'm sure the fruit scheme is more about getting children to try new tastes than about staving off hunger. One kind of fruit a day is a good way of provoking children to step out of the familiar.

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