It is omg $3.50 a day for a school lunch. Geez. That is $17.50/week! Eek. Talking with friends whose kids are starting kindergarden both thought it was cheap. But were tempted by the price because it's less than what they spend daily to pack lunch.
I freaked out that they think they spend $5/day to pack lunch for their kid. But then I pointed out what they are packing is that expensive because NO WAY IN HELL is a public school going to give kids what they are giving their kids. I'm going to guess to make the school lunch it would cost $1. They were horrified, but I'm pretty sure I could do it.
First off milk is not organic horizon boxes, probably regular milk. Second they aren't doing Annie's organic cheddar bunnies, probably no snack to save money. Third the fruit given is probably not organic be it apple, grapes, etc. Fourth, the meat in sandwiches or entrees is definitely NOT applewood farms organic deli meat or any sort of organic chicken/beef/pork. Fifth the bread is definitely not whole grain, no HFCS wheat versus plain white bread. Finally for sure they aren't giving their kid yogurt smoothies at $1.25 each everyday!
So of course lunches for kids are $5 a day when you spend $1.25 yogurt, $1 milk box, $1 cheddar bunnies. But seriously I pointed out you can't compare what you pack with what you are buying. To be paying $3.50 for what they give you is a lot! I think it can be done for $1, but no it is cheaper than what you pack.
But if you pack $5 100% organic lunches now, how can you reconcile paying $3.50 for non-organic lunches? I don't get people.
I pack lunch to save money and because what I pack I am certain is healthier and more fresh than what my kids would be served. I know I do it for less than $3.5 and with some organics like milk and fruit. People nowadays have no idea how to cook, no idea how to grocery shop, and probably never read labels.
Is school lunches cheap where you are? Do you buy or pack? FWIW my DH 95% of the time packs a lunch as do it. It's being frugal and being lazy to go out.
School Lunches Are not Cheap!
August 23rd, 2014 at 02:28 pm
August 23rd, 2014 at 02:58 pm 1408802298
August 23rd, 2014 at 03:29 pm 1408804154
As to dh and I, we mostly never eat out. I don't know where to get a high quality meal out for only $2.50.
August 23rd, 2014 at 03:30 pm 1408804244
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August 23rd, 2014 at 03:57 pm 1408805865
Why would someone who seems to value all those organic foods, suddenly switch to a school lunch which are definitely not for the savings of $1.50 a day? Yep. Don't get that either.
August 23rd, 2014 at 04:08 pm 1408806517
August 24th, 2014 at 02:56 am 1408845387
Like others mentioned, the biggest expense is when he grabs a $0.65 bag of chips or goes back for a 2nd drink. If I can pack him some chips or crackers that he likes, I avoid that expense altogether. He used to buy every day, but I have definitely saved money by packing his lunch.
August 24th, 2014 at 04:22 am 1408850556
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August 26th, 2014 at 03:10 am 1409019051
PNWMom good points about it taking so long to get lunches.
CB I know a lot of people spending a lot on organic food but still eating junk.