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Free school dinners

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3485363.stm


Quote:

'Currently, Hull is a middle-ranking authority in terms of primary school attainment.

But its secondary school pupils are the worst-performing in England at GCSE level.

Evidence from previous studies has shown strong links between a healthy diet and children's school performance, social skills, self-esteem and behaviour.'


Even though its the parents responsibility to ensure their kids are eating well, this seems like a good idea to me. The child benefits and so does society in the long run if the evidence is correct.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I'm all for it. Even if they aren't free, a subsidised lunch will still cost less than kitting the kids out with sandwiches and sunny d lol.
    At my work canteen it costs about £2.00 for pie, potato, veg and gravy. If I were a parent I wouldn't mind paying for that if I knew my kid was eating healthily.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sometimes parents cant afford school meals if they have 2 or 3 kids going to school, so I think its a good idea. School meals are currently £6.75 (i beleive), so if you have a couple of children it can work out expensive.

    At my Daughters school they are encouraged to take some fruit for mid morning snack, we also pay 25p per week so they get a biscuit at break time.

    My Daughter now takes packed lunch but she will get sick of that then it will be school dinners again.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Not getting much for your money Becks,

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/x-ray/allarticles/stories/2002_18_schooldinners.shtml



    'Especially as most local authorities in England and Wales work to a target of between 32 and 40p for the food ingredients, according to research from Cardiff University.'



    I hate to imagine what the quality of food is like on that budget.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by BlackArab


    I hate to imagine what the quality of food is like on that budget.

    You wanna hear some of the stuff she says she has.

    Salad and beans or spaghetti :eek2:
    Cant think of anything else of hand but she has come home and ive thought.......shit :lol:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The "Fuel Zone" we have is like a McDonalds, except with shittier food.

    Burgers, watered down coke, fries, urgh. They're all horrible and very highly priced for the quality.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Interesting that in this day and age there should be so much difficulty for schools in the Western hemisphere at least to provide a fully subsidised lunch for pupils. When I was in public school in the US (comprehensive in the UK), our school lunch only cost 50 cents a day since the rest of the cost was subsidised by local taxes.

    Why can't local taxes be applied similarly in the UK to ensure your children can have a decent lunch every day?

    (of course that didnt stop many of us from occasionally bringing our own on days when the menu wans't to our liking, but at least we had an affordable option either way.)
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Most children wont eat the school dinners though. It just ends up being spent at the local shop on sweets etc.
    At the ripe old age of 15 or so your not really to bothered about healthy things, and chips do taste so good.

    Bopz
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ah yes, well in my schooldays we didnt have open campuses. You went to school in the morning and you remained on school premises until the closing bell.

    Simple means of avoiding spending money at local shops would be to keep kids on school grounds where they should be, not running around outside between classes.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The problem is not that children aren't taking school dinners, the problem is that they ARE.

    It is disgusting that PRISONERS get fed on better food than schoolchildren, and that's saying something about the quality of food nowadays. It's been proven that ona budget of 50p per day it is possible to have a balanced meal of meat and vegetables, but instead all they cook is rubbery burgers and cold chips- apparently it's "what the kids want" :rolleyes:

    There shouldn't be a choice of main course- it's meat and veg, you stay on site until you are in year 11 at least, or you can take a packed lunch. It's no wonder that kids are getting fat when all they eat is stodge, and then don't get any chance to burn any of it off because they're sta behind their desks for hours after school.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Kermit
    The problem is not that children aren't taking school dinners, the problem is that they ARE.

    It is disgusting that PRISONERS get fed on better food than schoolchildren, and that's saying something about the quality of food nowadays. It's been proven that ona budget of 50p per day it is possible to have a balanced meal of meat and vegetables, but instead all they cook is rubbery burgers and cold chips- apparently it's "what the kids want" :rolleyes:

    There shouldn't be a choice of main course- it's meat and veg, you stay on site until you are in year 11 at least, or you can take a packed lunch. It's no wonder that kids are getting fat when all they eat is stodge, and then don't get any chance to burn any of it off because they're sta behind their desks for hours after school.

    I agree in part, especially the prisoners thing, that disgusted me when I heard abou that. However, there should be choice (what about vegetarian kids like me?! lol) but as long as its healthy. Primary schools have introduced eating a fruit and drinking water at each break time to encourage healthy eating.

    My canteen offers crap undercooked food at a ridiculously expensive price.Averge meal can cost £2.50. If you want cold lunch you can only have chocolates and crisps! Its disgusting. No matter how much we complain via school council nothing gets done. Might aswell go to prison and get a decent meal.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    When I was at school many pupils went to the chip shop at lunch time. Hardly the healthiest option! (Although the food from the dinner hall wasn't much better. It was cheaper, though) I agree with Clandestine, pupils should be made to eat the healthier food from the school and not be allowed to go out for fast food at lunch.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The general problem with school dinners as i have come to understand and from looking back on my own school days is the fact that institutional offerings tend to be high in carbohydrates which are cheap rather than a variety of all food groups which in the end would be cheaper in total social costs.

    By offering more fruit and veg say, perhaps a salad bar, an excellent outlet for homegrown British as well as perhaps surplus produce from Europe could be channeled and would, being healthier and more balanced, reduce problems like obesity and its resultant ills which end up costing more to society in tax dollars when those ills require further treament. Ive always felt that if surplus were made avaialable cheaply or free to those who couldnt afford to buy it otherwise anyways would end our stockpiles and not disturb the market for those who can buy it.

    I think part of the problem is that as societies both our countries have evolved into more insular independent life rather than community oriented where we feel a part of something and have a vested interest in overseeing how it is administered.

    Any progressive change will also have to incorporate elements of our past investment in community so i do have hope that we will learn hardship sufficiently to start coming together once again in order to begin to correct the inbalances.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    “Scientific studies show strong links between diet and academic achievement“ BBC
    Mein liber Gott!!!
    And you have nerve to blame Fox News in lying? They are innocent infants before BBC.
    The only proper diet is mine. I eat what I wont, when I wont and how much I want. My body knows better than politically correct journalists of nationalised media and pseudo-scientists of nationalised junk-science ( all nationalised science turns into junk-science, sooner or later.)
    Maybe somebody here think MY academic achievements are poor? ( though I don’t mean so called school performance. But it is irrelevant to the topic)
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Did you forget your meds again little furry one?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Clandestine
    Did you forget your meds again little furry one?
    If I understand you correctly…
    I don’t like that kind of meds. They smell of cats.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by LabRat
    “Scientific studies show strong links between diet and academic achievement“ BBC
    Mein liber Gott!!!
    And you have nerve to blame Fox News in lying? They are innocent infants before BBC.
    The only proper diet is mine. I eat what I wont, when I wont and how much I want. My body knows better than politically correct journalists of nationalised media and pseudo-scientists of nationalised junk-science ( all nationalised science turns into junk-science, sooner or later.)
    Maybe somebody here think MY academic achievements are poor? ( though I don’t mean so called school performance. But it is irrelevant to the topic)

    Just eat a balance of fruit, veg, grains and pulses and lean meat and you'll be fine.

    But yes, there have been studies linking diet to levels of agression and academic achievement. Makes sense to me. How is it a lie pushed by "politically correct journalists"? :confused:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Clandestine


    By offering more fruit and veg say, perhaps a salad bar, an excellent outlet for homegrown British as well as perhaps surplus produce from Europe could be channeled and would, being healthier and more balanced, reduce problems like obesity and its resultant ills which end up costing more to society in tax dollars when those ills require further treament. Ive always felt that if surplus were made avaialable cheaply or free to those who couldnt afford to buy it otherwise anyways would end our stockpiles and not disturb the market for those who can buy it.


    This has happened in the past, I do remember surplus butter and other things being given to people on benefits years ago. Do we still have a surplus? I thought we paid farmers to keep their fields empty these days.
    It would make sense but unfortunately smacks of socialism so therefore is a bad thing. If anybody thinks I'm joking ask your parents about Maggie Thatcher, milk snatcher.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    One could argue it smacks of socialism i suppose. I would argue that it smacks more of social responsibility by putting the EU surplusses to best use here within the EU rather than being used to undercut markets in developing nations and driving those nations' farmers out of much needed business.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by LabRat
    “Scientific studies show strong links between diet and academic achievement“ BBC
    Mein liber Gott!!!
    And you have nerve to blame Fox News in lying? They are innocent infants before BBC.
    The only proper diet is mine. I eat what I wont, when I wont and how much I want. My body knows better than politically correct journalists of nationalised media and pseudo-scientists of nationalised junk-science ( all nationalised science turns into junk-science, sooner or later.)
    Maybe somebody here think MY academic achievements are poor? ( though I don’t mean so called school performance. But it is irrelevant to the topic)

    Actually I've seen and read information to back up the idea that there are links between diet and academic achievement as well as mental health. In fact the idea makes perfect sense, more sense than the idea that your genetics pre-determine your personality and whether you'll like lizards or whatever.

    For example stocking up on fruit, not only do you feel less sluggish with vitamins inside you, but many fruits contain sources of seratonin, a feel good drug. Also excercise releases endorphines.

    Now in my opinion, one reason why middle class children achieve higher grades in school than working class children is diet. Of cpurse there are other factors to consider...

    Anyway, school dinners get a thumbs up from the MoonRat providing they're varied and healthy and cater for vegetarians.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If I want fruits I eat fruits. If I want MacDonald’s hamburger I eat MacDonald’s hamburger. Everybody who tells me what is good for my health is welcomed. Everybody who force me to eat what he thinks is good for my health is kicked out mercilessly.
    Glandestine, realise the simple thing: social responsibility is THE SAME that individual irresponsibility.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by LabRat
    If I want fruits I eat fruits. If I want MacDonald’s hamburger I eat MacDonald’s hamburger. Everybody who tells me what is good for my health is welcomed. Everybody who force me to eat what he thinks is good for my health is kicked out mercilessly.

    I think you'll find the best advice is to do just that (although personally I have a bit more self respect than to eat in McDonalds), eat a balanced diet.

    Dunno what your beef is really.

    See what I did there? Beef? Geddit? Oh never mind...
    Originally posted by LabRat
    Glandestine, realise the simple thing: social responsibility is THE SAME that individual irresponsibility.

    This makes no sense. :confused:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I miss school dinners, jacket potatoes, potato balls, home made biscuit thingies, cauliflower cheese, chocolate concrete.

    I don't see why it should be free though. School dinners don't cost much do they? Now college and universities should stop franchising out and bringing crap, rip off food into the canteen.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by LabRat
    If I want fruits I eat fruits. If I want MacDonald’s hamburger I eat MacDonald’s hamburger. Everybody who tells me what is good for my health is welcomed. Everybody who force me to eat what he thinks is good for my health is kicked out mercilessly.
    Glandestine, realise the simple thing: social responsibility is THE SAME that individual irresponsibility.

    Nobody is forcing you to eat anything though, I just don't understand why a person would not want to eat healthily. The people saying what food is good and what ain't aren't doing it to boss people about, they have scientific evidence to back it up. :eek2:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The crucial point is ‘scientific’. Modern scientists are nothing but bureaucrats sitting on govt’s salaries and getting govt’s subsidies. So they can prove whatever their masters wish. So called Global Warming that never happened is the best evidence.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Blagsta

    This makes no sense. :confused:
    It makes a huge sense. I'm going to respond in detailes...later. OK?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by LabRat
    The crucial point is ‘scientific’. Modern scientists are nothing but bureaucrats sitting on govt’s salaries and getting govt’s subsidies. So they can prove whatever their masters wish. So called Global Warming that never happened is the best evidence.

    There is massive evidence for global warming.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by LabRat
    It makes a huge sense. I'm going to respond in detailes...later. OK?

    Its not even proper English. :confused:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    My principal got rid of all the fatty food in the school canteen last term and the result has been negative.

    People simply don't eat at school ( I'm sorry, but a Salad bap followed by a Frosties cereal and milk bar isn't the most appetising meal). The newsagents around the corner is packed at 4.10 as everyone rushes down there to get their sugar fix.

    We have chocolate touts. Yes, that's right, people hanging around with boxes from the cash and carry trying to sell 50p Mars Bars. You don't know who is trying to sell you weed and who is trying to sell you a Milky Way!

    So the chocolate, crisps, chips and sweets have gone and been replaced by chocolate-covered cereal bars and pizza. We NEVER used to have pizza! We only go the pizza after the school heard about people not eating. The canteen is practically empty these days.

    This is the school telling us that we are better off before. Well, we are if you are a health freak. But do they really think 13 year old boys are bothered about their cholesterol levels?!

    Can't we have a choice?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Blagsta
    There is massive evidence for global warming.

    There is?

    When the dinosaurs were around it was hot and swampy. Then we had two ice ages. Who's to say that we aren't just on a continuum- records only go back 300 years.

    Acid rain is a huge problem, and the destruction of the rainforests etc etc, but I'm very sceptical about global warming. Especially given how varied the global climate has been through the millennia.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Well it depends who you ask. Scientists in the pay of oil companies find no evidence, independent scientists or scientists working for environmental groups find lots of evidence.
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