Preschooler’s Homemade Lunch Replaced with Cafeteria “Nuggets”

I certainly agree that kids should have a balanced lunch, and not just the pre-schoolers, but all kids. But for some inspector to decide that cafeteria chicken(?) nuggets breaded and fried in a GMO oil are better than a homemade turkey and cheese sandwich just doesn't cut it. 

Moreover, what kind of message are they giving a 4 year old by the state officers inspecting their lunch bags? A message that the state is all-knowing and in control, and the mother is just dumb and too incompetent to pack a good lunch? This is really outrageous!!

I also notice there's nothing about a child's food allergies included in the mandates. Will kids have to have their allergies tattooed on their arms so every new inspector can read it? 

Preschooler’s Homemade Lunch Replaced with Cafeteria “Nuggets”

State agent inspects sack lunches, forces preschoolers to purchase cafeteria food instead 

By Carolina Journal News Reports (click for full story)

RAEFORD — A preschooler at West Hoke Elementary School ate three chicken nuggets for lunch Jan. 30 because the school told her the lunch her mother packed was not nutritious.

The girl’s turkey and cheese sandwich [on white whole wheat bread, ~editor], banana, potato chips, and apple juice did not meet U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, according to the interpretation of the person who was inspecting all lunch boxes in the More at Four classroom that day.

The Division of Child Development and Early Education at the Department of Health and Human Services requires all lunches served in pre-kindergarten programs - including in-home day care centers - to meet USDA guidelines. That means lunches must consist of one serving of meat, one serving of milk, one serving of grain, and two servings of fruit or vegetables, even if the lunches are brought from home.

Some USDA school and general nutrition links:

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/regulations.htm

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/nutrition.htm