School lunch costs

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2007
School lunch costs
17
Wed, 08-13-2008 - 12:21am
Has anyone ever compared the cost of bringing lunch to school vs: buying? I am so tired of making lunches. My girls are going in to 7th and 9th grade, so I've been making lunches for too long! They help (sometimes) with making them, but sometimes buying lunch sounds so much better.
What do you do about lunches?
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 08-13-2008 - 5:35pm

I have tried both, and it's so worth it to pay for lunches whenever Aly will eat them. So, it's probably 3 days a week on average (I'd love it if she'd eat EVERY day...she would have loved the spaghetti we had today but was too chicken to try it, so I had to pack her a lunch).

We pay $1.60...it just went up from $1.35.

ETA: Our school lunches are REALLY good! We have the best lunches in the district (the school board employees drive to OUR school for the special meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter). We have healthy components, too....very balanced, whole wheat breads (the only time we have white rolls is for the special meals..lol). Even for the occasion that they may serve chips with a sandwich, they can only serve baked chips.




Edited 8/13/2008 5:51 pm ET by alygator

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-1998
Wed, 08-13-2008 - 6:06pm

Our school lunches are $2.75 and not that great. My daughter just buys them because it's easier. I refuse to make her lunch! My son is also starting middle school and has a nut allergy, so I have to make sure it's safe for him to buy. He'll probably make his lunch the first few weeks (refried beans and cheese on a flour tortilla, peach, juice or water and cheez-it crackers). He's a really picky eater, so it's hard to make him eat anything at lunch.


I did add up what my DD's lunches cost in elementary school (she never bought there) and they were not cheap because she loves expensive food like fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato salad with french bread, etc. So even though she doesn't love the school lunches,

Community Leader
Registered: 12-16-2003
Wed, 08-13-2008 - 6:14pm
Ds doesn't have the option of hot lunch days, once in a while you can sign up for a Friday pizza or hot dog days.

Ramona  Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2004
Wed, 08-13-2008 - 7:44pm
I have done the calculation, and it cost the same or more to pack a lunch than to buy a lunch.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 08-13-2008 - 7:48pm

My boys eat lunch in school.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-13-2008 - 8:59pm

You guys are sooo lucky--our elementary lunches cost $2!


Since Sherina doesn't eat meat, I have to get creative, but as someone said, you can make a lot of PB & J sandwiches for $10 (the cost of one week of lunches)!


As far as making them, I have her do it, since we use a combo of prepared foods & cheese sandwiches or PB & J sandwiches.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2007
Thu, 08-14-2008 - 1:18am

Thanks everyone for all the advice and ways you do lunch. Sometimes I think it is cheaper to let them buy, depending on what they are bringing. I am going to Costco to get their lunch items.

Thanks

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