We don't buy school lunches because of the cost. For me it would be another $100 a month. It's cheaper for them to bring a lunch. Qualification for reduced meals is based only on income, not expenses so even though my income is the same, now that I pay rent and utilities we wouldn't qualify. I will say that when I was out of work for 2 years, it was really helpful and I am grateful for that option. I was told recently by my middle schooler that she gets picked on for not buying a lunch, I couldn't believe it.

Maureen,
I applaud you for sending your child with a packed lunch. While the school lunch is a vital program for families struggling financially, no one should be buying the lunch if they don't have to. Nutritionally speaking, it's worthless - even harmful for some. I have two children in the school system, both of whom get a healthy packed lunch from home every day. I also teach in a local public school system where the students boycotted the cafeteria food for 5 days in an attempt (successful) to gain healthier choices. As adults, parents and educators we have a responsibility to model healthy eating for our children. How else will they make healthy choices as adults.

For a lot less money we can do a much better job of feeding our kids and teaching them to make healthy choices.

I have four children in 2 different Woburn schools. I use to spend A LOT of money on lunches, close to $800 a year. Recently I wrote a check and it was SENT back home and refused because 2 years ago, I had a check bounce for lunches. Town of Woburn policy is NO CHECKS ALLOWED for that child because of this issue ! So, my family has NOW decided to bring lunches. Its much cheaper and better QUALITY food. This has shed light on a mini catering lunch business for friends and family also with issues, THANKS to TOWN policies!

My daughter goes to Shamrock elementary. We send her with a packed lunch as it's cheaper and we can pack healthy choices, but we also let her pick one day a week to buy lunch so she can participate in the system. When we get the lunch calendar at the beginning of the month, she goes through it and picks which days she wants to buy lunch (French Toast day is her favorite).

When the government runs something it is, in most cases, done poorly. Why should school lunches be any different? The cost increase has far less to do with food quality/selection and far more to do with supplementing the ever growing "free" and "reduced" lunches being served. I have 3 children in the system. We pack a lunch for them every day; Better quality, better nutrition, lower cost and 100% parental influence.

lunches are high for families with 3 or more. adds up
not surprised that sales are down

Had this conversation with 2 school committee members last year when they started to change the foods offered. I suggested that children would not eat brown pasta or anything that did not look appetizing and in that vain lunch prices would need to be increased. Boy, did I hit the nail on the head. They also took hot dogs (the all American food) off the menu. Will they also take hot dogs off the menu at school barbecues? And now the school officials are looking to renew efforts in increasing free-and-reduced lunch participation because the district is reimbursed by the federal government for those meals. In the end, who do you think really pays? The taxpayer, of course.

You must be upset that they're no longer serving peanut butter and jelly too!?!? What a terrible thing - to encourage kids to eat healthier, more nutritious food without nitrates, preservatives, additives and other chemicals......my heart goes out to you for the elimination of hot dogs on the school lunch menu, truly.