Today’s menu: Rib-a-cue, whole wheat bun, corn, apple, (milk).
So the “rib-a-cue” looks bad, but when I opened the package, it smelled terrific and it actually tasted really good. Today I was offered a choice (!!) of the rib-a-cue or lasagna. I didn’t see the lasagna sitting out so I decided on the rib-a-cue, which was sitting in a big stack for the kids to take.
I’m starting to become friends with the lunch room personnel. I was always nice to them before but we’re definitely establishing a relationship! Someone commented that I’m eating lunch everyday…. if they only knew the whole story!
Mmmm…Rib-a-cue. I'd eat it based on the name alone. Maybe.
Found your blog through the IFA, I think. Anyway, thanks for posting! I'll be reading from now on. Good luck.
Listen- you freaked out a bit because people are discovering your blog. That is a good thing. America needs to wake up to what the children are eating at school. Don't switch gears and start saying the lunches are good because you are afraid! Stick to your guns- what you are doing is important. Think Rosa Parks! Someone has to say 'no more."
fortyonthemat — Maybe I am freaking out…. But I actually enjoyed the meal. I was quite hungry too. Now would I feed it to my young son? No.
Forgive this non-American, but just what is a rib-a-cue?
Just saw your blog, I love what your doing! What a great way to get in touch with what the school children are faceing!
Renee
My b/f just sent me your blog. I to am a NYC teacher, however I stay away from the school meals. At least it looks like you school has portion controlled sizes…ours is served out of trays and the kids are welcome to as much as they want which has been an issue for some students! Can't wait to see more!
found this through serious eats–love your blog! i graduated from a rural south ga high school two years ago and am now away at college, but looking at your photos i see so many of the same things I ate in school, but the rib-a-que I remember in particular. our high school's version was introduced my sophmore year and i tried it once, it was suggary sweet – and rubbery, but one guy I know would go around the caff and gather unwanted ones. He often cleared 5-6 in a twenty minute lunch period.
–kaylee
Ok what part of the animal, and what animal, does a rib-a-q come from? At least with a chicken mcnugget you know that the whole idea started with a chicken, not that it ended there though. Why must a food product for a kid be morphed into something hard to connect to real food? I bet it tasted good, was probably loaded with fat, and a nice coating of BBQ sauce with water and HFCS as the two main ingredients, with a little fake caramel color just for good measure.
oink, moo, cluk, oink probably…
Ok what part of the animal, and what animal, does a rib-a-q come from? At least with a chicken mcnugget you know that the whole idea started with a chicken, not that it ended there though. Why must a food product for a kid be morphed into something hard to connect to real food? I bet it tasted good, was probably loaded with fat, and a nice coating of BBQ sauce with water and HFCS as the two main ingredients, with a little fake caramel color just for good measure.
oink, moo, cluk, oink probably…
hey,
I've been reading your blog for a while now, and I must say I'm really worried when I see what your children have to eat every day.
When I first opened the blog and saw all the food being pre-packaged, I was WHAT? What does your kitchen staff do? Re heat portions?
I'm not going to talk about the good meals I had in my pre-school, because that is over ten years ago, but even today I attend pre-school lunch from time to time. I know not all what I eat there is fresh, and a lot of stuff probably gets there in cans, but the meal is partialy prepared in the kitchen, and the food is served on plates. I believe that this is an important part, because if children learn that pre-packaged and reheated food is good and normal, they will use it as a part of their diet and their family's diet.
I come from Slovenia, Europe and I hope that my children, when they will go to school will get food cooked in the school kitchen and served properly.
(I'm sorry if I'm a bit harsh, I've traveled the USA east to west and back, and I love your people and the country. But again and again I get concearned about the food you eat every day.)
Btw, go on with the blog, it seems that it attracts more and more visitors and I hope it will make a change in the way how the gov and the school officials see the food that they serve to the children.
Is a rib-a-cue like a McRib sandwich? If you haven't had the pleasure: meat formed into a rib-like shape and doused in sauce.
I'm glad you ate something that tasted good. Does your school district publish their menus ahead so you can get excited for the next rib-a-cue day? 🙂
How do you take pictures without anyone noticing?
I am not American nor do my kids have a cafe in their elementary school. After reading your blog the past few days and seeing what the children are given, I'm glad I get to pack lunches for my kids. I think you have a great idea here and look forward to following along to see where this all leads…
This issue has always been one near and dear to my heart. Your blog has recalled both positive and negative memories for me around school lunch and food all together.
For most of my childhood my father was Active Duty in the Army. At Fort Jackson, SC during 1986-1990 I attended the post DoDs schools. I distinctly remember in 1989-1990 my favorite lunch consisting of the following: thick slice of ham, macaroni and cheese, large yeast roll (I'm talking restaurant quality), seasoned green beans and a piece of fruit, and white milk (only). This meal cost my parents a whopping 75 cents. And it was served on a hard plastic section tray. And my family did not qualify to free/reduced. That spring my dad was transfered to the Pentagon, we lived on the post but were bused to the county schools…the lunch was very much like the ones in your photographs and cost $1.35! Trays, packaging, etc…so my mother purchased lunch bags and my siblings and I brought lunch from home all the way through high school.
I have a 14 month old daughter so I am very out of the loop with school lunch. I am shocked to see that everything is prepackaged, including the silverware. I cannot imaging the waste this is creating!!! Are all school districts using this disposable stuff?
Still reading!!
You're doing a good thing. You're doing a good thing!
Yet another lunch that I am sure is loaded with MSG. I am so glad my kids asked me to pack lunch for them. I have two in college now and I can count on two hands the times they ate in their cafeteria. And they had cafeterias that actually cooked and served food.