A County Durham mother is upset about the small school meal portions her son receives, sharing her concerns online and urging for better food for children.
County Durham: A mum named Kay Webb is really upset about the school meals at her son’s primary school. She thinks the portions are way too small. Kay shared photos of the meals online, showing what kids are getting, like pizza and jacket potatoes. She believes ten and eleven-year-olds shouldn’t eat the same amount as four-year-olds.
She warned other parents at Shotton Primary School on social media. Kay said, “This is what your kids are getting for lunch. If they come home hungry, this is why.” The school responded, saying kids can have extra vegetables, salad, and bread, but they don’t want to pressure them to eat more.
Kay noticed the small portions when she visited her seven-year-old son William’s school for lunch. She said, “I saw the food and thought, how bad is this?” William often comes home hungry and has lost weight. Kay was confused because he eats well at home. Seeing the meals helped her understand why he was still hungry.
She shared her worries about her kids coming home hungry. Kay believes some kids might rely on school meals as their only food. She said, “It’s not enough for them.” Kay also talked about her own experiences with hunger when she was younger, saying, “I was that child who was starved.”
William was born early and spent time in the hospital. Now, he has sensory issues that limit his diet. Kay noticed the limited food choices at school and suggested that an extra scoop of mash could help. She feels the portion sizes are shocking and that every child deserves a decent meal, especially in winter.
Kay also mentioned that kids only get a few pieces of fruit or yogurt when they arrive at school. After her complaints, the school suggested she take William home for lunch, offering to pack a meal for him. Many parents reacted to her post, with some expressing outrage over the small portions.
Some parents shared their own experiences, saying school meals used to be better. Others defended the school, saying kids can get extra vegetables and that schools have tight budgets. A former kitchen staff member confirmed that many schools in County Durham have similar portion sizes.
Shotton Primary School responded to the situation, thanking parents for their support. The headteacher said the photos shared online were misleading and that kids can choose from various healthy options. They emphasized that if a child is hungry, it’s usually because they didn’t choose to eat what was available.
