USE TO BE wrote on Jul 28, 2008 2:51 PM:
" In the days before MIDDLE School, in Jr High you could walk to the old DQ, and get a hot dog or hamburger, fries, and a drink for the same cost as school lunch.
And of course, there was Jensen's store where you could load up on candy. "
quality wrote on Jul 27, 2008 9:08 PM:
" My problem is not with the price going up but with the quality of the food in the whole district. I have children at all 3 levels in the district. It seems many people have the same complaints as I hear from my children. The food service people are not being held accountable for their food I would challenge any school board member to go to one of the schools unannounced and go through the line and have a meal (Good Luck) Most parents want their children to have a hot meal at lunch, but often times mine are taking cold lunch because they will no longer eat the chicken or fries. once you get frozen fries or cold of frozen chicken that would turn me off too. I feel that many times when numerous students come down with the "stomach flu" could this be due to improperly served food? wrong temp, not cooked thoroughly or reheated from the day before?? It makes me wonder, "
someone is paying for this wrote on Jul 27, 2008 7:17 AM:
" About 5 years ago the school board asked that there be a survey done about the food served during lunches. My kids were in middle school at the time and asked if they could tell the truth. I told them yes and they then wrote about receiving the frozen chicken nuggets, brown lettuce and other issues. Of course when these reports came back to the school board. The school boards response was, "Well you know kids, they are all just picky eaters."
If you don't want to really see the results of a survey and then do something about it unless it is good news, then don't do the survey. At the time I thought it was bull and I still think so today. The previous writers are correct about the so-called great meals at the high school. Everything is set up in such a way that kids end up ordering things individually, thus costing much more.It's not like you can upgrade from the meal deal to a large milk for 50 cents extra. You either take the one with the deal or pay full price for anything different. I agree with previous writers on here. If we are making a profit in our food program when 30-40% percent of meals are subsidized, someone here is paying for it. "
concerned wrote on Jul 26, 2008 9:24 PM:
" My kids are younger (5th and 2nd). We pay full price for our meals. Looking at the lunch menu every month makes me shiver! FOR BREAKFAST: pretzel with cheese, rice crispy bar, pop tarts? Are you kidding me?! I know that my children can eat a much healthier breakfast at home but for a lot of Tomah children, school meals may be their only hope for a "balanced" meal all day!!!! Let's look at a typical "balanced and healthy" lunch: chicken nuggets, "smileys" (apparently considered a veggie) and pears. YUM! Carbs and fat! One day I ate with my children and they had hamburgers, peas and a HUGE piece of angel food cake. The lunches are horrible! From now on my children will brings their lunch from home. We have moved a lot and Tomah's lunch program is the worst! It wouldn't bother me so much to pay the increase but for what? "
also a concerned parent wrote on Jul 25, 2008 2:52 PM:
" I too have heard our district is one of the only ones to make a profit. I too wonder why they need to make a profit. I have heard many horror stories about lunches at the HS. Everything from expired juice to frozen chicken nuggets. Is it any wonder kids go out for lunch at $6 a meal? I do not know to many HS students who only want a carton of milk at lunch most opt for the larger size. Mr Rice makes the lunches sound great at orientation,but the way prices are figures out (complete lunch vs ala carte) is so confusing. Kids get tired of subs,chiken patty chicken nuggets pizza and burgers even the salad gets tiring. If we are making a profit maybe that money could go back to the district in the form of better food choices or maybe we could afford juice that isn't expired or maybe then we wouldn't have to reheat the pizza from yeasterday and serve it again the next day (yes believe it or not this is being done) against state regulations "
High School Concern wrote on Jul 24, 2008 11:33 AM:
" I'm concerned about the amount of food the kids receive at the high school for lunch. Maybe it isn't enough? My kids eat the regular meal, but are still hungry so they add on lots of extras like a large milk, cookies and a water (for $1 a piece) and we end up paying $6 a meal. I wonder if they can take a look at the costs of those extras. The food service program is definitely making money on my kids and other families who don't qualify for free/reduced lunches. I once heard that our district is one of the very few that makes money on the food program. Shouldn't they just break even? "
RE just leave wrote on Jul 23, 2008 11:55 PM:
" The kids should be thankful if the are forced to have lunch at the school. Instead of the $2 in gas it costs to get to the north end of town and back, plus the $6.00 they'd spend on fast food every day...they'll save $6.00 a day. Maybe that'll teach them a little fiscal responsibility.
But yeah...what we really need to be teaching kids is that you work so you can have subway and mcdonald's for every meal. That'll really help the obesity problem in this country.
If people weren't wasting their money on frivolous stuff like that, maybe the economy would be in a little better shape too. I know plenty of people who can't pay their bills, but by God if they don't have fast food for a family of 4 three or four times a week, and still have plenty of money left over for alcohol, cigarettes, and plenty of nice audio/video equipment. Such is the society we have created. "
For Crying Out Loud wrote on Jul 23, 2008 6:58 PM:
" I'm also a parent of kids in the Tomah School District and I think the meal program is a deal -- my teenagers can easily eat their money's worth and the food service staff is great. They make sure the kids get their money's worth and know what they like. My kids have eaten school lunch from kindergarten to graduation. No complaints here (for the most part, there's always something that could improve -- such is life.) With the price of gas someone is comparing a drive-thru sub to a ready-made?! Quit whining already! "
Re wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:21 PM:
" Ya it is a grant...but guess how they get all that grant money, it's by how many they serve. and believe me they do not serve as many as they make it look. do you realize how much food is wasted at these free lunch free breakfast programs? A LOT!! Believe me the "system" is being worked in the school's favor, not in yours or mine "
just leave wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:35 PM:
" all they are going to do is raise prices, it's happening everywhere, now all they have to do is close campus and then the money will come in. It's not fair to the kids who work to drive out to lunch, but hey what is worse, a sub sandwich made the way they want it or a premade all processed one? Think of that. "
cold lunches wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:33 AM:
" I understand prices going up...however if it keeps doign such I am sure more and more kids will bring their lunches. My 3 children already do as the hot lunches do not appeal to them. "
Yet... wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:36 AM:
" I believe according to an article about the summer program that this is a grant that the schools recieved. "
Ref Yet wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:56 AM:
" Good point! Free breakfast and lunch all summer long but then rises school breakfast and lunch for our kids during the school year. This year I will let my kid go home for lunch. "
re yet..... wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:17 AM:
" If you think that they can use the money for the free meal program to help offset the regular lunch program than you must be living in the dark ages. That money comes with a lot of stipulations. It's amazing how many people don't realize how 'the system' really works. "
Still a bargain . . . wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:54 AM:
" School lunches do nothing to address the obesity epidemic in our country. Have you taken a good look at the lunch menu or better yet what is on the tray your child is taking from the lunch line? It is very high in fat!! The food service's solution . . . whole grain pizza! Pizza is served every Thursday. Yes, every Thursday. Why not? It is cheap and unhealthy! The food for the elementary schools is all delivered from the high school, so the food has to be easy to heat. And with only two cooks at the larger schools, it has to be fast. Yes, the elementary kids get two choices each day. Fat or more fat!! It is all about the bottom dollar and making money at the expense of our children's health. Why not have a salad on the menu each week? We are always being compared to OTHER districts to justify everything. Then let's take a good look at other districts lunch trays and what is on them. The only solution . . . pack a healthy lunch! Your child will thank you and the time invested will be well worth it. "
yet... wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:05 PM:
" they seem to be able to offer free breakfast and free lunch through the whole summer? Where's that money coming from? "
Everything dribbles down to us.... wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:16 PM:
" All of these companies and organization complain about the rising costs and they along with the gocery stores, department stores and so on all raise their prices. Here we are....the little people at the BOTTOM that pay the price over and over and over again. Yet you do not see our wages go up! Now the kids' lunches have taken this hike. Is anyone else tired of all of the rising costs and stuggling constantly? "
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
