Comments on: Oakland school lunches get a C+

By: John

John — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:52:02 +0000

“C+” huh, certainly another good reason for locking down OUSD high school campuses at lunch time.

Perhaps as an incentive to getting that ‘B to A+ rated’ off campus lunch students could: (1) meet a ‘normal crotch dress code’ requirement; (2) promise to use crosswalks and wait for pedestrian lights; and, (3) not drop trash on streets and sidewalks?

Regarding the latter, ‘low hanging crotches’ would mean one less place to store junk & fast food wrappers & containers. Maybe issuing student ‘litter crotch bags’ (with large print use instructions) would help? Although, given the City Council imposed ‘street trash tax’ on struggling Oakland businesses, perhaps it’s not considered a ‘student issue’ when someone’s being paid to pick up after them?

By: Jean Womack

Jean Womack — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:53:59 +0000

If you want a good lunch, go to one of the John Swett Unified schools in the Rodeo-Crockett area. They have salad bars.

Great reporting, as usual, Katy!

Jean Womack

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:56:31 +0000

Here’s an explanation I just received, via e-mail, from a staff dietitian at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, about Oakland’s lower grade:

“In 2008, there were more points to be earned for having a variety of low-fat, cholesterol-free entrées available, i.e., 100% vegetarian or vegan. Oakland claimed to have none. Also, there were more points to be earned this year for having incentive programs to encourage healthy plant-based meals. Oakland received zero for that as well. On the upside, Oakland reports to have something in place for the next school year, “wellness kiosks.” That alone would push them back up to a B. Hopefully more vegan options will be available which would put them in the A range.”

By: Sue

Sue — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:36:25 +0000

I don’t have any idea what’s happening either, but this is interesting.

Last year, and for several years previously, my boys have bought the school lunches. This year, they’ve asked to bring lunches from home, so we’re doing that instead.

Neither has complained about bad food – younger son was unhappy with the crowding in his middle school cafeteria, and not having any time to hang with friends because the long lines used up most of his lunch period. He also wanted to eat with friends who were bringing their lunches, and apparently they don’t eat in the same place as the school-lunch crowd.

Older son hasn’t really explained his preference.

But at $3 each, compared to $2.75 last year for the high-schooler, and $2.25 for the then-elementary kid, it’s also a money-saver for our family to have the boys bringing their lunches instead of buying them.