Since my son entered kindergarten, we’ve faced ongoing challenges with his lunchtime at school. I’ve tried various strategies—from letting him buy a hot meal to creating fun shapes out of his food. I’ve begged, pleaded, consulted with teachers, and even packed less nutritious options just to ensure he wouldn’t come home drained from hunger. Now, as a fifth-grader, this issue persists.
A few years ago, I visited the school to drop off some materials and happened to walk by the cafeteria during lunch. I saw my son wedged between two classmates, crammed into a tiny table that looked more like a sardine can than a lunch setup. His entire class of about 30 students was squeezed around a single small table.
It was chaotic, as elementary school lunchrooms often are. The noise level was high, and the allotted time for lunch was shockingly minimal—just 15 minutes. At my son’s school, lunchtime is combined with recess for a total of 30 minutes, which translates into 15 minutes for eating and 15 minutes for play. Yet, my children frequently tell me they don’t have enough time to finish their meals. There’s always a reason: whether it’s the teacher holding them back a few minutes for talking in line or waiting in the lunch queue for ten minutes, they often find themselves with only five minutes to eat.
Five minutes to consume a meal. If a child isn’t finished when the next grade arrives, they have the option to stay and finish their lunch. But what child would choose to stay behind when all their friends are outside playing? Not mine. They’d rather toss that lovingly prepared sandwich into the trash and rush outside to join their friends—because, after all, they are just kids.
In my view, our children aren’t getting enough time, adequate space, or the right types of food during lunch. Every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy a full, nutritious meal at school, regardless of their background. Furthermore, we need to stop shaming children who run out of lunch money in front of their peers. While it’s commendable that we’re focusing on healthier food options in schools, we must also ensure that kids have a suitable environment in which to enjoy these meals.
How can we expect children to learn effectively on empty stomachs due to strict time limits? A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics examined how lunch duration impacts what children eat. Their findings indicated that less time leads to decreased food intake overall. Juliana Cohen, the study’s lead author, noted in a statement to NPR that many children, especially from lower-income families, depend on school lunches for a significant portion of their daily nutrition. Therefore, it’s vital to provide students with adequate time to eat.
I understand that my son’s struggles might be on the extreme side. He can be easily distracted, and he once told me about a classmate who poured chocolate milk into his mac and cheese, which completely ruined his appetite that day. I recognize that there are variables that can’t always be accounted for.
However, the reality is that there are numerous systemic issues with school lunches. It’s not only about ensuring vegetables are included on their plates. Children are going hungry, facing embarrassment, and not eating due to rigid schedules and cramped settings. Frankly, it seems that prioritizing adequate lunch for students is low on the agenda.
My son’s teacher has collaborated with me on potential solutions, and I appreciate her efforts. She genuinely cares about her students. Yet, I believe we need broader changes in public schools regarding lunchtime. How about we extend their lunch to 30 minutes and monitor the outcome? Let’s work on eliminating the embarrassment associated with insufficient funds to pay for lunch. We should provide them with more space to eat comfortably and help them understand that nourishment is crucial for learning.
Kids should be able to eat and play—there’s no need to choose. After all, when I get hangry, things can get pretty ugly. Children are just small humans who experience hunger too. Let’s make sure they leave school with full bellies, creating the best environment possible to support their nutritional needs and maximize their potential.
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Summary:
Children, especially those in elementary schools, often face overwhelming and rushed lunch periods that do not allow them to eat enough nutritious food. Current systems prioritize quick lunches and often leave kids feeling embarrassed if they lack lunch money. To improve the lunchtime experience, schools should consider extending lunch periods, providing more space, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to eat healthily without feeling ashamed.