SCHOOL LUNCHES

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1234, 12 June 1947, Page 5

SCHOOL LUNCHES

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY Balanced Diet Essential Many parents give their children money with which to buy lunch. Are you one of these? If so, do you take any steps to see what is bought with the money? asks Consumer News. At the few schools which provide lunches all should be well. There are a few other schools which have schbol cafeterias, where reasonable foods can be bought. But many schools, primary and secondary, depend on a “ tuck shop ” outside the school gatesHave you inquired what your child is buying at these places? Among other things, they sell pies, sausage rolls, biscuits, small fancy Cakes, sweets, ices and ice cream, artificial fruit cordials, aerated waters—this is the average stock in trade. A selection from these may be all right once in a while, but no child can build up a satisfactory lunch for five days in the week from such items. If this is the type of lunch your child buys, .then for his health’s sake you should start cutting him a decent lunch. The simplest is made from buttered wholemeal rolls or bread with meat of any kind, or fish, eggs (if possible), cheese, vegetable or fruit fillings. Pack in one raw fruit and a bottle of milk. If you want something more elaborate you can make savoury filling for sandwiches from meat, fish, cheese and vegetables, and sweet sandwiches from dried fruits, dates, raisins, prunes, etc., honey or fresh fruits— Chinese gooseberries, bananas, chopped apple and walnuts. Still add the one raw fruit and a bottle of milk. If you wish to put something extra in a buttered bun or a scone or a cookie or a slice of plain or fruit cake will do see that it is an extra.. Never let these things form the bulk of a lunch. Peanuts, walnuts or dried fruits, as obtainable, are really better value extras.

You will have a healthier child—one who won’t catch so many infections—if you arrange a balanced lunch for each day. Giving the child money to spend without any supervision is simply dodging parental responsibility.