Pictures Of Some Oklahoma School Lunches Not Appetizing To Parents

Tuesday, October 21st 2014, 6:49 pm

By: News On 6

Some Oklahoma parents are concerned about how little their kids are getting to eat at school.

Many people were outraged after pictures of school lunches from Chickasha and Skiatook schools were posted online.

The portions were small but based on federal guidelines. Those guidelines are based on First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative to tackle childhood obesity.

The School Nutrition Association of Oklahoma is struggling to adhere to those federal guidelines.

"We have nutrition education opportunities where we go in the classroom and teach children about good nutrition,” said Kit Hines with Tulsa Public Schools.

Those lessons aren't always easy to swallow.

School cafeterias around the nation made some major changes to the lunches they give to students, but many say lunches are less appetizing.

“Chicken nuggets, with broccoli, beans and milk,” said student, Promise Fleming. “It was awful.”

Student, A'mika Ware said, “It's not fully cooked and it makes my stomach hurt.”

Their complaints are being heard loud and clear nationwide.

A Skiatook school came under fire after a picture of two small breadsticks, marinara sauce, milk and an apple was posted on Facebook; but Director of Nutrition Dianne Boggs, said the picture doesn't tell you that that's what the student chose to eat.

Elementary school kids are offered four choices and secondary school students are offered at least eight.

TPS's nutrition director said the meals teach kids how to eat well.

"They can tell their parents ‘hey, I need to have milk to drink, I need to have fruit or to eat some vegetables,' instead of drinking soda pop and a bag of chips,” Hines said.

Tulsa Public Schools follow federal guidelines but offer kids more choices; and the concern goes past the lunch line.

"We have a high poverty rate, so basically our problem is, is a lot of our students when they are not at school, what types of meals are they going to be exposed to? So what we are trying to do is educate our students and make sure they know what those healthy choices are,” said Hines.

Student Lov'ee Ware said, “I like healthy, it's just, I don't like it when it's, like, undercooked,” she said. “I'd rather, like, have pizza with an apple and some chips.”

The School Nutrition Association of Oklahoma is trying to appeal the existing federal standards.