LYNN — A group of Lynn mothers are demanding that Lynn Public Schools provide better food to their children.
Parents with Madres de Lynn, a Latino parents group founded by the North Shore Labor Council’s Women’s Committee, appeared before the School Committee on Thursday night, and demanded an improvement to the menu offered by the school district.
The Madres, upset that their children were coming home hungry and disgusted by the amount of food wasted, came together and created a survey to learn what other parents thought about school lunch, according to information from the North Shore Labor Council.
The North Shore Labor Council claims the survey found 98 percent of parents and children would prefer healthier and more flavorful options.
Paula Flores, through an interpreter, told the School Committee she was representing a group of parents with kids in Lynn Public Schools. She said the most serious concern the group has is what’s being given as food to their children is not the best, as kids are not consuming all of it.
Flores said a lot of food is being thrown away and the kids will just get rid of it. She said her daughter will come home with a headache because she hasn’t eaten well in school. Milk has been expired at school, she said.
She said the parents want to work together with the schools, School Committee and school administration because they believe food is something that can be improved.
Olivia Solis, through an interpreter, said her daughter is in middle school and returns home lightheaded because she hasn’t eaten enough in school because of the food. She said students throw out food they don’t like — the milk is bad and chicken tastes like plastic.
Africa Beato, through an interpreter, said it’s not right that kids are given milk or juice that expired three months ago or that kids are eating pizza every day. She said she’s taken her daughter out of school with a stomach illness in the past and spent 10 hours in the hospital because the milk, juice and food is expired.
The Madres asked for a meeting with Chartwells, school administrators and members of the School Committee to explore options for including culturally relevant and healthy menu items.
Superintendent Dr. Catherine C. Latham said healthy food is served at the schools. She said an inordinate amount of time is spent on preparing food and the district is not making children sick. She said the complaints on Thursday were the first time she heard the concerns and that school officials would be looking into it.
School Business Administrator Kevin McHugh said every school will do an inventory to make sure there’s no old stock, such as old milk, juice or food, in the coolers.
