this post was submitted on 02 Aug 2023
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Strangely, I feel like even businesses should be behind this idea. Foodservice companies like Sodexo, Aramark, Sysco, etc should be pushing for this 100%. School food (like any food) doesn't come out of thin air. "Lunch ladies" aren't going to the grocery stores to find what to make. All these school districts have contracts with a foodservice company like the ones I mentioned to provide the food and meals to school cafeterias.
By providing free meals to students, governments are also providing guaranteed revenue to these companies. Because now the school is providing ALL the lunches for kids, whether or not some kid still come with a lunchbox from home. That's gotta be more revenue than before. Admittedly, I don't know that for sure.
To me, it seems like a win-win. Kids aren't going hungry all day, and big business gets to make its money.
These companies provide prison grade food tho... we need either better vendors or the state needs to take over. Current situation is unacceptable from nutrition quality PoV unless the goal is to prep this kids to eat prison and/or fast food.
But I guess firs thing is to ensure that every child has a meal...
Oh for sure. But I agree; let's get kids fed, even if it isn't the best. Then we can work on getting more nutritious, healthier foods. I remember having chicken tenders and a bottle of pop seemingly everyday in high school. Or those rectangular pizzas, ugh. I don't know how I'm alive today, haha.
I bet these companies could provide better food. But I imagine, as always, it's a matter of cost. Of what school districts and families can afford. I have a hard time seeing the state or some government getting involved and providing foodservices directly. But that'd be interesting to at least try. I wonder if there are any school districts where the school or district themselves manage foodservice entirely themselves. If so, I wonder if it's better, worse, or about the same as the average.
I saw documentary on one but it is not easy. School Districts are vehicles for corruption and they dole these contracts out to the big boys for kickbacks. Most of contract value gets wasted, ie not spend on quality of food but to grease the machine.