Since my son entered kindergarten, we’ve faced a continuous challenge ensuring he has enough time to eat his lunch at school. I’ve tried everything from letting him purchase hot lunches to creatively shaping his food into fun designs. I’ve begged, pleaded, and even had conversations with teachers. At times, I’ve packed less nutritious items just to ensure he doesn’t come home feeling weak from hunger. Unfortunately, as a sixth-grader now, we’re still grappling with this issue.
A while back, I visited the school to drop off some materials and caught lunchtime in action. I peeked into the cafeteria and saw my son squeezed between classmates at a cramped table, like sardines in a can. His entire class of around 30 students was crammed into a tiny lunchroom table, making it hard for him to even lift his arms to eat.
The noise level was typical for an elementary cafeteria—chaotic and loud—and the time allotted for lunch was astonishingly inadequate: just 15 minutes. At my child’s school, lunch and recess are combined into a 30-minute block, supposedly giving them 15 minutes for lunch followed by 15 minutes for play. However, my kids frequently mention they hardly have time to eat. There always seems to be an excuse—whether it’s a delay caused by a chatty student in line or waiting too long for food, leaving them with only a few minutes to scarf down their meals.
Five minutes is all they get to eat. If a child isn’t finished at the end of their allotted time, they’re allowed to stay behind and finish. But what child is going to choose to linger inside when their friends are outside playing? Not mine. They’d rather toss aside the lovingly prepared sandwich I made that morning to join their peers outside—because, well, they’re kids.
In my view, they aren’t given enough time, space, or access to nutritious food. Every child deserves a full, healthy meal at school, regardless of their background. And can we please stop calling attention to kids who run out of lunch money? While it’s crucial to focus on healthier food options in schools, we must also ensure that children have a conducive environment to enjoy their meals.
How can we expect kids to thrive academically on an empty stomach because they simply lack sufficient time? A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics highlighted that shorter lunch periods resulted in children consuming less food overall. Juliana Cohen, the study’s lead author, stated, “Many children, especially those from low-income families, rely on school meals for up to half their daily energy intake, so it is essential that we give students a sufficient amount of time to eat their lunches.”
I recognize that my son’s lunch difficulties may be an extreme case; he may just be easily distracted. He once told me about a classmate pouring chocolate milk into his mac and cheese, which completely turned his stomach. So I understand there are variables that play a role here.
However, the reality is that many systemic issues plague school lunch programs. It’s not merely about ensuring a vegetable is on their plate. Kids are going hungry, feeling embarrassed, and not eating due to strict time constraints and overcrowded conditions. The priority of making sure students have adequate time to eat in public schools seems alarmingly low.
My son’s teacher has been incredibly supportive in brainstorming solutions. She genuinely cares about her students, and her efforts have been invaluable. But I believe it’s time to push for more significant changes in our public school lunch systems. Why not give them a full 30 minutes to eat? Let’s create an atmosphere where kids don’t feel ashamed if they run out of lunch money. Let’s provide them with a bit more personal space and ensure they understand that eating is critical for their learning. They should enjoy both their meals and recess, not have to choose between the two.
As we all know, hunger can lead to frustration, and kids are no exception to this. Let’s prioritize nourishing their bodies and minds so that school becomes the best environment for them to flourish.
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In summary, our children need more time and space to enjoy their lunches at school. This is essential not just for their physical health but also for their academic success. As a community, we must advocate for changes that support a better lunchtime experience for all students.