A school lunch that's a parent's dream
By Danielle Dreilinger, Globe Correspondent
If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, the nurse at Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park in Somerville might need to look for another job.
First-graders Joshua Frost, Joshua Martizano, and Ryan Devereaux are big fans of apples. Also sliced oranges, mangos, and bananas - which they said they would choose over a bag of chips.
"This school loves fruit," said food manager Peggy Huckins. Starting Oct. 20, the Argenziano School replaced home-brought snacks with fresh fruit three days a week.
The healthy progress there and at Somerville's other elementary schools isn't going unnoticed. On Oct. 24, the US Department of Agriculture presented the district with a silver ranking in the HealthierUS Schools Challenge.
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Lylah M. Alphonse is a member of the Boston Globe Magazine staff and mom and stepmom to five kids ranging in age from toddler to teen. In addition to writing for Child Caring, she also writes about juggling a full-time career and parenthood at The 36-Hour Day, and about everything else at Write. Edit. Repeat. When she's not glued to the computer or solving a kid-related crisis, she's in the kitchen or, occasionally, asleep.
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Barbara F. Meltz is a freelance writer, parenting consultant and author of "Put Yourself in Their Shoes; Understanding How Your Children See the World." A former Globe staff writer, she wrote the weekly "Child Caring" column for 19 years. That column earned her many awards, including the 2008 American Psychological Association Print Excellence award. Barbara is available as a speaker for parent groups.
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I applaud schools for improving their nutritional choices.
But really, parents, if you are very worried about what your kid is selecting at school, then pack them a lunch. It costs me much less to make and send sandwiches on wheat bread, carrots and apples, home made soups, and other healthy choices than it would to pay for school lunches. All it takes is about 10 minutes of my time (or my kids time - they make their own lunches sometimes too), and I know that my kids are eating healthy. If they don't eat it all, I know, because it comes back home. If they are being stubborn about eating it, they go hungry, and I do not send them with any additional money. They learn pretty quick to eat what they are given.