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If they’d talk to the kids, explain to the kids what the objectives are and then work with the kids to develop better menus and such, the kids might actually be willing to eat the food.

I don't know of a single Los Angeles Unified School District school that even bakes their own bread. I don't think the issue is the kids, I think the issue is the lazy jerks in the food services. When I saw pre-cooked quinoa go on the bulk foods list for a local distributor, the connection was obvious. Rather than cook the quinoa in spices and flavorings, they're buying pre-cooked bags, microwaving them, and then tossing the bland grain straight atop the bagged salad, along with a couple canned mandarin oranges and calling that a 'Jamie Oliver' salad.

Second major problem are these stupid federal guidelines that require every student on reduced or free meals to take a container of milk. Required. As in there's someone who stands next to the milk case yelling at kids to take the milk or they can't have any food. Expand the guidelines to include fruit juices and water, or just drop the guidelines for beverages.

We've got thousands of 'cooks' in the LA district, and the truth is, they just don't cook. If there was a budget crunch, maybe I could understand it, but food services gets paid a fat fee per meal, they can certainly afford to get staff into the kitchens and start cooking from scratch.

But hey, why should kitchen staff be any different than 'teachers' who instruct via pre-packaged units? Both are offering junk, and it's not surprising that it's not working with the kids.

bump

The kids should be bringing their own lunches, IMO.

I don't know of a single Los Angeles Unified School District school that even bakes their own bread. I don't think the issue is the kids, I think the issue is the lazy jerks in the food services. When I saw pre-cooked quinoa go on the bulk foods list for a local distributor, the connection was obvious. Rather than cook the quinoa in spices and flavorings, they're buying pre-cooked bags, microwaving them, and then tossing the bland grain straight atop the bagged salad, along with a couple canned mandarin oranges and calling that a 'Jamie Oliver' salad.

I like quinoa. It isn't very hard to cook. I never knew they made pre-cooked quinoa. But sadly I am not surprised that would would sale it that way. And honestly I wouldn't doubt if school cafeterias are not the only people using it.

We've got thousands of 'cooks' in the LA district, and the truth is, they just don't cook.

When I was in elementry schoolmany tyears ago when had a bunch of old woman who cooked our lunches. Yes they opened the food out of cans and the hamburgers weren;t grade a #1 but the food was tasty and some of it wa great.(chili day was not to be missed and cinnamin buns were delicious. So so was the bread. They knew HOW TO COOK FOOD, not just reheat the crap. Unforortunately the food served in junior high and high school was crap warmed over. Nowadays I can just passed through the school and retch at the smell of what they are serving kids now.

We've got thousands of 'cooks' in the LA district, and the truth is, they just don't cook.

When I was in elementary school many years ago when had a bunch of little old ladies, most of them grannies or aunts no doubt, who cooked our lunches. Yes they opened the food out of cans and the hamburgers were't Grade A#1 but the food was tasty and some of it was great.(chili day was not to be missed and the Cinnamon buns were delicious. So so was the bread. Hot, moist and melt in your mouth good. Mmmmmmmm!!!

these little old ladies knew HOW TO COOK FOOD , not just reheat the crap. Unfortunately the food served in junior high and high school was crap warmed over.

Nowadays I can just passed through the school and retch at the smell of what they are serving kids now.