School Lunches

As a kindergarten teacher, I’ve been curious to watch debating politicians discuss the pros and cons of continuing school lunch programs. More than three-quarters of my students receive a free lunch. I watch children throw away uneaten food at an appalling rate. Sealed containers of milk and juice, packaged entrees and untouched fruit are commonplace in the trash can. I see children bringing lunches from home after parents have applied for the daily free lunch.

It saddens me to witness the enormous amount of tax dollars that are literally being thrown in the trash. Those who claim reforming the lunch program will deprive students of food ought to consider how this program deprives us from teaching values. We’re missing the opportunity to teach parents and students about hard work, honesty, responsibility, self-reliance, not being wasteful and being appreciative.

JILL SPENCE

Anaheim