Preschooler’s Homemade Lunch Replaced with Cafeteria “Nuggets”

Carolina Journal ^ | 2/14/12 | Sara Burrows

[Nachum]

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

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

The girl’s turkey and cheese sandwich, banana, potato chips, and apple juice did not meet U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, according to the interpretation of the agent who was inspecting all lunch boxes in her 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.

When home-packed lunches do not include all of the required items, child care providers must supplement them with the missing ones.

The girl’s mother — who said she wishes to remain anonymous to protect her daughter from retaliation — said she received a note from the school stating that students who did not bring a “healthy lunch” would be offered the missing portions, which could result in a fee from the cafeteria, in her case $1.25.

“I don't feel that I should pay for a cafeteria lunch when I provide lunch for her from home,” the mother wrote in a complaint to her state representative, Republican G.L. Pridgen of Robeson County.

[Nachum]

Now, that's the America Michelle is proud of

[Joe the Pimpernel]

You iggerant peasants don't know what's good for you.

Luckily, us feral agents are here to keep you in line.

[Thane_Banquo]

The girl’s turkey and cheese sandwich, banana, potato chips, and apple juice did not meet U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines,

I wonder how much money the makers of the chicken nuggets "donated" to the Democratic Party in order to get the power to write the USDA guidelines.

[momtothree]

I must be missing something... a turkey/cheese sandwich is far more wholesome/nutritious than some pink gel that is molded into a nugget shape. Plus, the Mom packed a fruit and some chips (children do need some fat). This is all about control (IMHO) than nutrition.

[x1stcav]

Who are the Nazi-types they hire to enforce this crap. These people should be shunned by the rest of us. Or used to decorate lamp posts.

[Dr. Sivana]

Rush is all over this near the show’s opening.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

If you can’t make it in the TSA, the regime will get you a gig with the Department of Agriculture, passing judgment on the nutritional value of schoolkids’ lunches.

[Nachum]

The list, Ping

Let me know if you would like to be on or off the ping list

http://www.nachumlist.com/

[rarestia]

Turkey and cheese covers protein and fat. The banana covers carbohydrates, potassium, etc. The chips were likely Lays or some such thing which don’t contain trans fats, so that’s poly- and monounsaturated fats plus the potato, a starch. And the apple juice is probably sugary but at least provides some nutrients and more carbs. This is a typical, relatively healthy lunch for a child, IMO.

Kids run around and play so much that they probably burn off this lunch in less than half a day at school.

This nation has become completely engulfed by the Federal government. We are no longer “We The People,” folks. The Federal government has usurped our authority to self-govern.

[nascarnation]

Who are the Nazi-types they hire to enforce this crap

Likely part of one of Baraq's "jobs" programs. Isn't it great our govt is so well funded they can handle even non-essential services like this?

[GraceG]

They love to tell people what to do, a majority of the groups that comprise the demon rats are all happy with the demon rats because they are telling people what to do in their favor.

They fail to realize once you give them that power the minorities that make up the Demon Rats are at risk the next time some populist tyrant gets into power.

If they control your food choices they will continue to chip away at things until every aspect of your life can and WILL be controlled.

[Dr. Sivana]

Rush is all over this near the show’s opening.

[Gerish]

because a state employee told her the lunch her mother packed was not nutritious.

I'll bet this "state employee" is about 250 pounds and ate the girls lunch.

[jakerobins]

No kidding. The “Heath Food” Czar putting the idea that the Gov’t knows best in childrens minds early...... Thank God this BS wasn’t around when I was in school...Nachos,Cheeseburgers,Pizza,and Tacos will probably be outlawed soon! (Let the Blackmarket begin!)

[Dr. Sivana]

Rush is all over this near the show’s opening.

[JRandomFreeper]

Or used to decorate lamp posts.

I have plenty of rope.

I hate these federal food fetishists, with their one-size-fits all ignorance.

It's time or past time to put a stop to this nonsense.

BTW, for USDA types lurking out there, I had rumaki and a beer for lunch. No carbs, no salad, no fruit. I did have a MilkyWay(tm) bar for dessert. Come and get me.

/johnny

[mykroar]

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

Sandwich - meat, dairy and grain

Banana & apple juice - fruit/veg

And they fed the girl nuggets? So, apparently the story here is 1) do not feed your own child & 2) if you do - MORE TURKEY (to match the one in the White House).

[momtothree]

I agree. It is actually a perfect (and lovingly hand made) lunch that ensures the child both nutrition and energy for the rest of the school day.

[Nachum]

Glad he was.

Rush called them “Food Nazis” I kind liked that one.