Tri-Cities Talk: Are You Happy With Your Child's School Lunch Options?

Welcome to Tri-Cities Talk—a regular feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on current issues facing Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles.

Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked the Tri-Cities community in recent days on local Patch Facebook pages.

There's been discussion recently about the quality of food served to our children in school lunches. Some parents say there should be healthier or more affordable options for students; others control what their children eat by packing their lunches at home. That brings us to this week's question:

Are you satisfied with the quality and nutrition of food being served at your children's schools?

Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. 

Manou Chahmirzadi: Since the change of companies at beginning of school year, my daughters have refused to eat hot lunch. Last year I reloaded $20 every two weeks. This year I have spent a total of $30 and that was mostly milks because they forgot a drink. They do not like the food from the current company. — Batavia Patch Facebook

Jennifer Reilly: It would be nice if bottled water was cheaper than cola. The high school provides options but cola is usually the cheapest option. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Katy Linn: My kids don't even want to eat it....they want me to send a lunch!! Try some FRESH food!!! — St. Charles Patch Facebook

Theresa Daunheimer: Last year, there was a vegetarian option every day. Now, there is only one about half the time. Prefer the options last year much more! — Batavia Patch Facebook

Brandy Hiatt Vishnesky: No, they get a bunch of empty calories in the form of froZen pizza or some such, and not enough good calories to even fill them up. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Casey Garza Murdough: Ha! Seriously?? I'd love to see change their program to a healthful one, but I'm not holding my breath! I'd like to see a removal of lets see...hydrogented oil, HFCS, frozen pre-made and processed foods. See Cooking Up Change, Chicago. — St. Charles Patch Facebook

Amy Paxson: I agree, last year the food & menu options were much better. The time to be able to eat should be longer especially since the students are not allowed to go outside at lunch. — Batavia Patch Facebook

Scott Albright: Perhaps a non-GMO lunch with real whole foods. Wait, that would cost too much and our kids aren't worth it...Way more important things like new drones etc... — Geneva Patch Facebook

Tracy Paddy: Nope, it's horrid. If your child has food allergies or sensitivities, they don't eat anything at school. There are no healthy choices because the juice drinks contain 10% or less of juice. The white milk has high fructose corn syrup in it. Salad bars are a joke because students put their gum and other trash into them. My kids have repeatedly said they'd love it if Jaime Oliver came to town and did his Food Revolution in their schools. — St. Charles Patch Facebook

Erik Lindstrom: I might be, but my daughter basically has only 15 minutes for lunch and frequently doesn't finish her food... — Batavia Patch Facebook

Peggy Schild Hoffrage: they need to raise the prices if you want better healthier food. They can only do so much with the budget they have. I agree that parents need to pack their childrens lunch if they dont like it. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Brenda Taulbee Szerlong: They know already!!! Parents have complained for yrs!! Its obviously not a priority...and i dont worry about the kids whose parents can afford to make lunch. But the kids who rely on reduced lunches... they just add to our obesity epidemic... — St. Charles Patch Facebook

So what's your take? Tell us in the comments. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT YOUR NEIGHBORS HAD TO SAY IN PAST TRI-CITIES TALKS.