Earlier this week, FoodService Director ran a story highlighting one Indiana district’s use of so-called “sandwiches of shame” as a tactic to get parents to pay down its $50,000 student lunch debt.
The idea proved controversial, receiving criticism from parents and students after a picture was posted on social media.
If you owe $25 or more on your lunch account, this is what Kokomo High School provides you for lunch. Two slices of...
Posted by Sierra Feitl on Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Wondering whether the sandwich tactic was a good business move, FoodService Director took to its own Facebook page.
A school is under fire for feeding indebted students so-called "sandwiches of shame" in an effort to get parents to pay back the district's $50,000 of lunch debt.Was this a good move?
Posted by FoodService Director magazine on Monday, January 11, 2016
Here’s what fellow FSDs had to say:
- “IT’S A BUSINESS FOLKS If a child is in need—fill out the forms (parents) if its lazy parents—shame them! As for feeding kids; IT’S A BUSINESS If need to ‘cover’ meals—go Community and get a fund. But people it is a business…yes I said it.” —Mary Wood Shumway
- “The school is not obligated to give a kid without lunch money, anything. What do you think they'd get at a fast food restaurant if they didn't have money. Not a single McNugget!! I've long been an advocate for giving a kid who doesn't have money a lunch of vegetables! Think they might go home and ask their parents for lunch money then?” —Steven Cohan
- “The child should not be punished or publicly humiliated because of their parent's shortcoming. It would be better to offer for the child to do some token work around the school in exchange for lunch and do it discreetly. Students receiving free lunch are not singled out to be shamed for their financial situation yet they feel the stress inside all the same because they know even if their fellow students do not. Self-worth is strongly influenced by how one is treated at school and their sense of self should be passionately protected, not exploited like this.” —Heather Byers
- “it is not the responsibility of the government to feed your child. Child loses every time. I feel bad for them.” —Shelly A Lewis
- “I'll take a wild guess....that the child Who got a free sandwich is the same one who posted it to FB to make a joke out of it” —Kathleen Brady-Lacey
Since the story first went public, the high school in question has said the sandwiches have reduced its accrued lunch debt by $20,000.