Food in classrooms?

Question

I know this isn’t parenting related but I’m a new teacher and want to do like a snack cart for kids who are hungry in my class. However, I definitely don’t want it to get out of control. But I’m also a firm believer that if kids are hungry, they should get the option. 4th grade! Also, if so, any snack advice that you would be happy with your kids eating?

Answer

As a classroom teacher, I would probably not do this. For one, I’d be concerned about allergies. I’d also be concerned about pests - my classroom gets ants, mice, and rats at even the whisper of food. Lastly, I can’t afford to provide a steady stream of snacks for my students. 
I totally agree that no kid should go hungry. My school district provides free breakfast and lunch for all kids, so that really helps.

Answer

Can you afford this? It will get expensive fast as once one kid gets a snack for the day everyone will want one. It’ll be messy. You’ll have to worry about allergies as well

Answer

I left a bag of trail mix in my desk in case a kid needed a handful to hold them over to lunch… then i got a mouse in my desk 😅
Thats my anecdotal way of saying terrible idea

Answer

Remember my teacher had a.box of the most boring whole grain crisp bread  in her desk for when someone forgot their lunch at home. Worked well as they were so boring that you wouldn't ask for one unless you were actually hungry.

Answer

I will always say yes to a snack cart option for students for one main reason. When I was a kid I relied heavily on the school lunches/breakfasts because we had to choose between the lights or the heat. If I didn’t like school lunch that day I wouldn’t eat it and I’d go hungry until I could find something to snack on at home or I just wouldn’t eat. I have severe adhd and major sensory issues around food that I can’t get over and as a kid I would actually starve instead of eat if I couldn’t handle the food. Having snacks in your room would help students like me when I was a kid. 
Snacks I feed my kids are veggie straws, veggie puffs, nutragrain bars, granola bars, real fruit gummies, pretzels, pirate booty, gold fish, cheese it snaps. We also do regular chips every once in a while too by my kids prefer the veggie sticks or puffs they are 2 and 5.

Answer

If you do, I would put it in a jar with an air tight lid and not have it sitting out! Definitely have it put up to avoid everyone asking for a snack at the same time! And have healthy options so kids aren’t just asking so they can have junk food! 🙂

Answer

As a parent and as someone who was in the schools for a long time I wouldn't. If a teacher had a cart like that in my oldest's classroom (if I was sending her to school) there would be a huge possibility of her needing her epi-pen just from food being opened in the same room as her due to her extream allergies to common foods. There are too many kids today with allergies, auto immune disorders, food intolerances, religious restrictions of food, ect that it would not be okay. In the school districts in my area teachers are NOT allowed to do something like this.

Answer

I am a high school teacher/college professor. I provide snacks and drinks to my students. I teach 9-12 grade. I love snacks and some students do not get food at home. I’ve never had an issue with insects/rodents. We have pest control that prevents that. I keep snacks and cold drinks, and kids are welcome to have what they need. I have a full fridge in my classroom that has bottles of water/soda/juice/milk. We have a variety of snacks.
You do what you want and what is allowed at your school. I think it’s a great idea. Some of my students aren’t fortunate and they don’t have access to food sometimes.

Answer

In our school they have a fruit basket kids can pick from. 😁

Food in classrooms?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey