Tuesday October 7th, 2008
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Free Lunch, But at What Cost?
Posted by Belinda Miller on August 15, 2007 - 5:08am.
Georgia and I rode our borrowed bike to meet Emily and Baxter at the park for some quality time when the kids play and the moms figure out solutions to all the world’s problems. Usually between the two of us Emily and I have loads of food to feed the kids, and a bit to munch ourselves. Today we were both a little light in the healthful snack department, and we figured we’d wait until the kids were hungry and then head over to Emily’s for lunch.
But then the kids saw the lunch station. Here in Portland there is a summer program to feed any kid who wants a lunch. It’s aimed at assuring low-income kids a decent midday meal, as a continuation of the school lunch program, but no child is turned away. Our kids were feeling suddenly hungry and very excluded (thankfully these aren't really familiar feelings to them, unlike many of the kids who need these lunches), so we asked if there were any meals available. We were assured there were plenty, so we let our kids have a meal.
I was curious what would be in it—the Momster in me wondered what plastic-wrapped goods were being offered to children in the name of nutrition. And it didn’t look too bad, actually: a plastic-wrapped sandwich, an unwrapped plum, a plastic bag of carrots with a container of dip, and a plastic foil bag of Goldfish. All over-wrapped in plastic on a foam tray. A lot of white flour, certainly too much salt, waaaaay too much plastic, but it could have been much worse. But let me tell you about this sandwich.
It was a round UFO of a sandwich, peanut butter and grape jelly, on discs of white bread with a pinched piecrusts on the edges instead of bread crust. This is apparently the main selling point of the sandwich, and those of you who see commercials probably have seen it a million times, but out on the fringe where we reside, this was news. A round sandwich with the peanut butter and jelly concealed inside! The kids were excited—I was excited! One of the reasons I am so careful trying to teach Georgia about healthful choices, need vs. want, ads and consumerism is that I have been highly susceptible to clever marketing schemes in the past. I looked at the wrapper for the nutritional information, and not surprisingly it wasn’t such a great deal for the kids. High-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, preservatives. But would they like it?
They bit through the anti-crust into the smooth peanut butter and jiggly jelly, and mouthed the morsel with pleasure. But the second and third bites were less well received, and neither of the kids finished more than a quarter of the sandwich saucer. And after ten minutes out of the wrapper, the bread had a really weird texture, and we weren’t getting another bite of it into them. I was going to admonish Georgia, “Eat two more bites of your sandwich” but then realized it was the least nutritious part of the meal.
I’m sure she will never ask for it again, even if we happened to pass it in a store. If she had seen it and wanted it, I would have had to put on my lecture-voice and explain all the wrongs of pre-packaged food. And she would have felt like she was missing out on something. This way I can remind us both about the “weird and yucky” sandwich when she sees something packaged oh-so-desirably. And I feel lucky that these are the things I have to worry about, and not if my daughter gets lunch at all.
There’s still the issue of dubious nutrition. Obviously the company that makes these sandwiches can afford to be generous to a federally funded lunch program in exchange for brand awareness. I think as people become more aware of the food industry’s apathy about health, passing off a cruddy sandwich as a nutritious lunch to underprivileged kids won’t be acceptable.
Emily and I will add that to our list of problems to solve.
Topics:
- Live the Change
- childhood nutrition
- disposable packaging
- Growing Greener Kids
- parenting
- The Green-Eyed Momster
They also sell these at IKEA's cafes-- I saw them the other day and like you, I was intrigued and tempted, even though I am years beyond the company's target demographic. It looked like a big cookie, which I am sure is not an accident.
Kudos to Portland for having a free lunch program, even if what they're serving is not necessarily nutritionally sound. At least their heart is in the right place... and with the fruit and carrot sticks, at least it has some redeeming qualities.
I wonder if any other companies were contacted to try and donate food to this program, like Whole Foods or other green companies. You might want to look into that if you ever have a free moment. I know that they are always generous and the publicity would be great for them.
I agree that the program is still wonderful and for the kids who really need the lunch is a welcomed treat. I always get those letters at the start of school for the lunch assistance program and I am so happy that it exists and also that I am fortunate enough to not have to use it.
I do have to say I am fond of Viki’s suggestion, if your town has this to offer, why don’t you ask? See what idea's maybe Whole Foods, or whatever store you choose, has any ideas about the whole plastic issue. It would be for a good cause and a good for the environment. Those company’s are looking for some free advertisement and good deeds to do!
Says my son. I purchased those premade, frozen PB&J sammies on a whim once, thinking it'd be good in a pinch when I was running behind in the morning making his school lunch. We don't eat white bread, or sugar filled peanut butter or jelly so these were NOT going to become part of the daily fare anyway. BUT when my son got home from school he informed me the sandwhich was totally yucky-gummy and he ate 2 bites and tossed the rest.
We have since found the little circle cutter from Pampered Chef and I'll make him one now and then using our own, whole wheat bread, and healthier products...but he's almost outgrown the need for a 'cute' sandwich.
Has anyone ever tried these little sandwiches frozen? We used to do this in high school for a good Breakfast on the go or snack from after practice. I was thinking, maybe your kids didn’t like the whole gummy taste that maxmom921 had mentioned. If the peanut butter is too hard let it sit out for a little I would just advise room temperature not in the microwave, IF you do put it in the microwave leave it in the package and nuke it for like 10 sec. to start take it out feel it, and see what you think, adjust to your liking. These also would not be a bad idea to have at home, I am always running in and out of the house so maybe I could make them with wheat bread instead and crunchy peanut putter..mmmm… and freeze them, I know I would be munching on these things like crazy! (So they wouldn’t good bad.)
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This is just up your alley and is the perfect response for your question. I just might start freezing my sandwiches as well. Good luck!
I used to work with an afterschool program and I was always shocked at what the kids were given for snacks. Mostly gummy fruits, animal crackers, and juice that's more processed sugar than anything else! It amazes me that with more and more children being put on psychotropic drugs for conditions like ADD and ADHD the school system hasn't made the link between behavior and nutrition! Heck, they keep vending machines in the schools because they get funding from companies like Pepsi, nevermind that it's at the expense of both the students and teachers!
Its so refreshing to see that kids are getting the message! Free lunch is such a great program and I think with increased awarness and blogs like this the message will get out there and real change will happen!
I was in Wally World they had an end-cap freezer full of them strawberry and grape. First of all how lazy can we be with ready made PB&J. I read the box "Do Not Microwave" and a host of unhealthy things. Most everyone knows how I love to cook, and cook for others. I have worked in a soup kitchen for the homeless, cook for 200 for the lodge Thanksgiving dinner. Lately when Katrina hit, a member of our Church has a camp and he opened it up for the victims of Katrina. He need help in the kitchen and I was glad to lend a hand. Our Church under-wrote most of the food expense. The greatest thing were our local grower and farmers. They donated vegetables and beef to the effort. A local organic poultry farm donated eggs. Our Church helps supports several food programs. We have food of the month were you bring an item list for that month. Like oat meal, soup, canned vegetables. I also am sad to report in the small town that I live in our Meals on Wheels had to shut down. Not due to lack of driver, but due to lack of funds and food donations. My latest project is a group I belong to provides a meal one Saturday a month to a Hospice House. We fix home made goodies and serve them to residents. Yes there is truly no free lunches, I get paid for the meal that I am involved with by the smiles on the faces.