by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team
Member since:
February 19, 2008

Gather Moms - Take the Back to School Poll! Get Gather Points™!

September 09, 2009 11:48 AM EDT (Updated: September 24, 2009 04:14 PM EDT)
views: 672 | rating: 10/10 (34 votes) | comments: 157

UPDATED 9/24/09: Thank you for taking the poll. The entry period for taking the poll for a chance to win Gather Points™ is now closed. Winners will be selected soon.

Hey Gather Moms,

It’s official – the kids are back to school!!! With everything else that you need to shop and plan for, it’s back to planning ahead for your children’s lunch! Gather wants to know – what are you packing?

Take the following polls and leave a comment in the field below discussing school lunches.

25 people who comment will be drawn to receive 25 Gather Points™!

If they do take their lunch:



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Comments: 157

♥♥LoViNg♥LiFe♥ ♥♥ Sep 9, 2009, 11:50am EDT
My daughter takes her lunch but I jsut satrted homeschooling my boys so they eat here at home
Fego Martins Sep 17, 2009, 6:54am EDT
what a nice idea
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Sep 9, 2009, 11:54am EDT
brayden, does not take a lunch yet, the school supplies it for him
Mary Borg Sep 27, 2009, 1:26am EDT
WOW I am moving to your district where is that I live on Long Island and they do not have anything like that here
Monica H. Sep 9, 2009, 11:54am EDT
My daughter eats lunch that is provided by her school. We get the menu and know what she will be eating every day. She isn't picky at all though. It's so much easier than packing a lunch every day.
d d. Sep 9, 2009, 11:55am EDT
I make my sons' lunch, but he also buys food. a 15 year old who eats so much and never gains weight. The snack part, I wanted to check off more than one... I load him with fruit, crackers, chips, cookies.
Pamela Williamson Sep 17, 2009, 5:27pm EDT
my son takes lunch as it saves gobs of money that way
Rachel V. Sep 9, 2009, 11:55am EDT
Soup in a thermos is the way I go.. but there are occasions where the school lunch seems more appealing.. so they buy..
Cindi P. Sep 9, 2009, 11:56am EDT
My Boys ALWAYS eat school lunch but my Daughter is a bit more particular so she takes a lunch about once a week or so when they are having something GROSS!lol
Desire Hendricks Sep 9, 2009, 11:56am EDT
When I send lunch with my kids, I try to make it healthy, but not boring. Deli cut meat sandwiches are winners, and they prefer apples, because they don't break easily.
Winona Morris Sep 9, 2009, 11:57am EDT
My little one not being born yet, I answered with what I plan to send him to school with. He will certainly be taking his own lunch, as I remember having to eat school lunches and always HATED them.
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Sep 9, 2009, 11:58am EDT
My kiddos eat lunch at school. Andy gets what the school serves(tray lunch). Jessica has 2 lines to choose from the salad/pizza line or a tray lunch. Anthony has so many choices for lunch, they have a snack bar and 3 lines to choose from, in high school they dont have a tray lunch.
Aubrey :) Sep 9, 2009, 12:02pm EDT
I have one in school and he just eats at the cafeteria and my other one takes a lunch to his Mother's Day out class.
My teenguy is difficult to get him to take his lunch with him, but in younger years I always prepared a healthy lunch, fruit included, unless they were having something special in school that he wanted. He always had a thermos for winter, two actually. One wide mouth for soups and a beverage one for tea.
MrsRoad Runner Sep 9, 2009, 12:02pm EDT
I only have one boy still in public school.
He eats what the school supplies.
Our school has not started yet.....
Denise W. Sep 9, 2009, 12:06pm EDT
Today is Katies first day at kindergarden. Time goes so fast. Today we packed a uncrustable in the little uncrustable plastic case I had gotten from buzzrewards. She was so excited in her little uniform.
Pam H. Sep 9, 2009, 12:06pm EDT
My 8 year old prefers to pack his lunch, he gets tired of waiting in line for lunch and then only having a short time to eat it. We do on occasion buy lunch too, if it is something he likes.
We pack lunches most of the time, but also do the occasional bought lunch.
Kelly M. Sep 9, 2009, 12:12pm EDT
We always buy lunch - it's cheaper and the kids like it better.
Pamela Williamson Sep 17, 2009, 5:29pm EDT
i find it much cheaper to make than buying
Tonya Downen Sep 9, 2009, 12:14pm EDT
My son is so pickey that I pack him a sandwich and crackers or sun chips..He eats only at the school when they have pizza....
Kat W. Sep 9, 2009, 12:15pm EDT
My 16 yo is in a night school program and they have a special vending machine that is stocked daily with microwaveable items and sandwiches. The cost is only $1.95 and includes a drink. She says that it is better than any school lunch she has ever had.
Brittney R. Sep 9, 2009, 12:20pm EDT
My son is not in school yet, but I chose my answers based on what I send to the babysitter's house when I work.

Since his lunch can be refrigerated there, I send leftovers whenever we have them and milk to drink, sometimes juice, but she serves water when they are playing outside. Sandwiches are second choice, and raw veggies on the side go well with them. Lastly I will resort to lunchables or chef boyardee type meals. I always send fruit or yogurt with his lunch though, since he could eat both of those all day if we would let him.
tiffany h. Sep 10, 2009, 11:55am EDT
well then.... my kids would look at me like i'm crazy if i sent raw veggies
Stacey *Mamasaid* D. Sep 9, 2009, 12:24pm EDT
We just got cool insulated lunch bags for them and packed Lunchables as a special treat for their first day :) I miss them already...making a shopping list of healthy snacks and cold cuts for the week ahead.
sally g. Sep 9, 2009, 12:27pm EDT
the school supplies my daughters lunches.
Cecilia Lyne Sep 9, 2009, 12:29pm EDT
1/2 of the time Jacob buys lunch and 1/2 of the time I send him with lunch depends on what they are serving.
luckily, my daughter has access to refrigeration and a microwave so she can take just about anything for lunch. she's taken cereal and milk once or twice. during the week, she's able to earn the privilege of going out and purchasing her lunch on friday's.
DiAnA D. Sep 9, 2009, 12:37pm EDT
of course my kids are no longer young but i remember when i was little every day i had chocolate milk (remember the old Thermos that if you dropped it it broke???), pb/j and an apple!! every day for 6 years!!
Mary G. Sep 9, 2009, 12:38pm EDT
I would like an option to pick more than one extra item, as she takes fruit and crackers along with a banana and grapes when they are in season. Sometimes I have her buy lunch when we are short on time.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Sep 9, 2009, 12:54pm EDT
My kids get free lunch. When they do not like wha is on the menu, I pack their lunch. They get peanutbutter an jelly sandwhich, juic to drink, sides are crackers and a banana. Unless I can get some other fruit on sale like apples or grapes or even an applesauce cup.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Sep 9, 2009, 12:57pm EDT
For those who wonder why I pack a lunch, instead of mking y kids eat the free lunch, it is realy simple. I don't believe in wasting food. Not even a free lunch. I would rather know my child ate their lunch. Than sat starving all day than come home hungry demanding something to eat.

I have a daughter who is below who weight, so skipping a meal is not an option for her. I need to pack as many calories as I can in to her.
donna h. Sep 9, 2009, 12:58pm EDT
My daughter is in 11th grade and I think this year she has no lunch period. But....she brings fruit or granola bars with her.
.* Sandi * Sep 9, 2009, 1:00pm EDT
my son cant eat alot of gluten and stuff so we are trying to take lunch from home. The school has a new lunch room and all it serves is BJ"S frozen junk
Janet "Jax" B. Sep 9, 2009, 1:09pm EDT
My daughter packs her lunch every morning, and it is pretty much a standard lunch - sandwich, apple, juice box/Gatorade, crackers, and fruit snack. There are times that she does take a few odd items...like hummus and pita.

My son is the leftover king. He takes his lunch to school also, but he loves to take cold leftovers....and he eats about anything. His friends find it amusing to see what Pher has for lunch on any given day.
Joy Blessing Sep 9, 2009, 1:15pm EDT
They take their lunch everyday except pizza day! That way it's kind of a treat for them and they look forward to it!
Julie F. Sep 9, 2009, 1:21pm EDT
My son takes his lunch to pre-school. They provide drinks (milk or water), but we provide everything else. They have an "A+ snack list" which is their suggestions for what to include. Also, they have no-no list which is items that they won't allow. They'll hold on to them, put them back in the lunch bag with a note reminding us what's on the list. At first, we were really taken aback with this, but there's plenty of items that he loves on the A+ list, so it's never been a problem.
norene t. Sep 9, 2009, 1:30pm EDT
My daughter takes a couple things with her and if she feels like it she will get school lunch. They are generally very balanced now.
Teresa W. Sep 9, 2009, 1:32pm EDT
We are fortunate that the boys get school lunches because we qualify based on our income. Evidently we are poor. It's not always a good thing because the boys won't always eat it but at least its offered. They get breakfast too if they get there in time.
Jennifer N. Sep 9, 2009, 1:37pm EDT
Gideon gets reduced lunches - 50 cents a day. But some days he won't touch what they serve - like today it's shrimp. He won't eat it.
Jennifer N. Sep 9, 2009, 1:36pm EDT
Hrm most of them didn't fit.

Gideon eats in school unless it's something he doesn't like then he takes a lunch.

His lunches I make him consist of Yoohoo or Hi-C for a drink, often canned pasta (he loves that) for the main dish, and anything from the following list is added to it:

Chips, applesauce, string cheese, fruit snacks, jello
Rebecca S. Sep 9, 2009, 1:43pm EDT
When my kids were little they took their lunch, now that my daughter is older, she buys her lunch. Oh, and comes home telling me lunch was yuk and whats to eat. So, she will be taking her lunch if she keeps it up. lol
Poliwonk USA Sep 9, 2009, 2:10pm EDT
Took the poll. A little offended that it is stereotyped to "Gather Moms" and ignores the "Gather Dads" who make similar contributions. But not going to make a stink.
April H. Sep 9, 2009, 2:11pm EDT
They provide lunch at my daughter's daycare. When she starts going to public school I will definitely be packing her lunch though - the current school lunches aren't very healthy!
April H. Sep 9, 2009, 2:12pm EDT
The daycare provides healthy lunches and snacks. Fresh fruit and veggies, etc.
April H. Sep 9, 2009, 2:18pm EDT
Not only are we packing lunch but breakfast , lunch & a snack; for our little Drea; and we have to put them in 3 separarte lunchbags as she wiould eat them all if they were in one container .
I am liking the Kraft Bagelfuls or eggos with some Sunny Delight and fruit in a small tupperware
Lunch is a container of yohoo, fruit, sandwhich or pasta, veggies in a tupperware, cheese stick and usually cookies or crackers
For her afternoon snack A box of 100% fruit juice some fruit and cookies or trail mix
Kelly K ~ Jesus Saves ~ Sep 9, 2009, 2:20pm EDT
we homeschool, but my dd loves her insulated lunch bag too!!
she loves turkey on whole wheat, with veggies and a banana
and water to drink.
Tara C. Sep 9, 2009, 2:35pm EDT
I don't have kids, but this is a very interesting survey.
susan j. Sep 9, 2009, 2:39pm EDT
My daughter usually gets free lunch at school, every once in awhile I pack a lunch. This is a cool poll!
Marsha S. Sep 9, 2009, 3:06pm EDT
I've homeschooled since 1998 but answered the polls pretty much by lunches at home...and for a very short period they were in a little private school and I had to pack their lunches daily.
Anna H. Sep 9, 2009, 3:07pm EDT
My son is in high school, so he packs his own lunch. I'm not always sure what he puts in there, but I always try to have stuff to make sandwiches, carrot sticks, apples, pretzels, and such for him to use. He's especially happy if we have salad because he loves to take that. No matter how much he takes, he's always ready for a snack when he gets home.
Shannon W Sep 9, 2009, 3:14pm EDT
The kids usually get it at the school but I keep track of the lunch menu and if it sounds like it's something that I wouldn't consider healthy or it's something they wouldn't eat and would go hungry for the day, then I'll send a lunch.
Shawnee G. Sep 9, 2009, 3:21pm EDT
My children always have bought at school. My oldest is in 6th and she may start taking hers sometimes, but until now I did not want to send disposable lunch carriers, and did not want to have to replace lost reusable stuff.
My younger ones are in kindergarden and 1st, and they will still be buying for a while.
Shawnee G. Sep 9, 2009, 3:22pm EDT
Oh, plus our school is a peanut free school. So the kids "can" take peanut stuff to school for themselves, but they have to eat in a certain area which is really cleaned well later by only the adults... what a pain...
Iris D. Sep 9, 2009, 4:05pm EDT
My son brings lunch to school. he does not care for the cafeteria choices.
My daughter has always brought her own lunch. Especially since she is a vegeterian, there are not many options available for her at school.
kayleigh r. Sep 9, 2009, 4:20pm EDT
most days kids buy, some times they bring.
Bridget ♥ Sep 9, 2009, 4:26pm EDT
I let Chandler choose his lunch each day. Last year he did a combination of hot lunch at school and lunches from home.

This year, he told me that he's going to have cold lunch every day, but he may change his mind!
Amy C. Sep 9, 2009, 5:02pm EDT
My son loves buying his lunch this year. In middle school they have several choices.
Jennifer Munoz Sep 9, 2009, 5:28pm EDT
My kids bring most of their food, but sometimes I give them spare change to buy a snack to supplement their lunches and provide extra interest!
Patti M. Sep 9, 2009, 5:43pm EDT
My son is not in school any more. Actually he is in college. I answered what we used to do.
Jenn P. Sep 9, 2009, 6:20pm EDT
My kids buy their lunch. actually we don't pay for it. they qualify for the free lunches so that is great.. a big help for us.. sometimes my son has me pack his lunch though.. sometimes he just prefers that
I take my lunch every day, but the kids usually received theirs at school through the school lunch program because we were poor.
Melanie S. Sep 9, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
My kids eat school lunches.
golds g. Sep 9, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
not a mom but a college student and I take lunch with me when I can
J W. Sep 9, 2009, 8:53pm EDT
My daughter eats lunch at school
heather "chickenlips" g. Sep 9, 2009, 9:43pm EDT
Matthew takes his lunch. Sandwich, applesauce, juice, crackers, fruit snack....pretty basic.
A Season of Joy, Love and Gift-Giving Sep 9, 2009, 10:29pm EDT
The school provides hot lunches, yet sometimes that want to pack their favorites for lunch several times a week; especially when the menu is not listing what they want.
Tracy F. Sep 9, 2009, 10:42pm EDT
I usually pack her lunch, but once a week I let her buy something from the cafeteria.
Jackie T. Sep 9, 2009, 11:24pm EDT
buy lunch with snacks brought from home
j - Frugal Mom - r. Sep 9, 2009, 11:34pm EDT
My son eats the school lunch, which fortunately is decent. I am amazed at all the restrictions they have for what the kids can bring, and PB & J is an absolutely no no.
Brooke S. Sep 12, 2009, 4:53pm EDT
No PB&J??? That's blasphemy! LOL :)
Lillian L. Sep 9, 2009, 11:38pm EDT
My son went through the PBJ cycle and then changed to ham and cheese with an incredible amount of mustard. I bought him a month-long lunch ticket when he was in first grade and most of it was still left when he left 6th grade (and that was even letting other kids who had no money use his card or meals for my husband and/or me for the BBQ on the last day of school. My son didn't particularly like the food in the school cafeterioa, but the real reason he wanted to take his lunch was that he has always been a slow eater, so if he stood in the cafeteria line and then ate, there was no time left to play. By avoiding the lunch line wait, he would still have time to get some exercise on the playground. I didn't even bother to buy a lunch ticket in either junior high or high school--I knew it would be a waste.
Donna Besso Sep 9, 2009, 11:54pm EDT
I had Bologna and Cheese for 8 years, it was my choice, always Tuna on Fridays tho. (Catholic School).
Ruth Luce Sep 10, 2009, 12:31am EDT
Used to be he would never buy a lunch, hated everything they had. Once he hit Jr High though, out the window!! In HS now and buys it every time
Alex In Wonderland Sep 10, 2009, 10:23am EDT
We used to pack but we qualify for free lunch now. I am not fond of what they serve at the school (french fries are veggies, friut is all canned, white bread) but I can't complain too much. When we do pack it's usually a peanut butter and jelly on wheat bread, a banana or grapes, celery sticks or some lettuce (those are the only raw veggies he will eat), some crackers and milk from the school.
Kristina P. Sep 10, 2009, 10:36am EDT
Our son gets to pick 4 days a month to buy hot lunch and we pack the rest. I like packing his lunch because I feel like it is healthier than the school lunch. He loves bologna so I try to buy turkey bologna to cut down on the fat and, hopefully, the sodium as well. He likes cheese sticks and yogurt. Every once in a while he gets a bacg of chips. It is not too often though.
Susan Budig Sep 10, 2009, 11:26am EDT
One child always buys his lunch. His brother always packs. Their sister does some of each. This poll was limited.
tiffany h. Sep 10, 2009, 11:53am EDT
For the past couple of yrs my older 2 kids have taken their lunches. That's were my answers came from. However this yr my oldest is in middle school and want to buy his lunch so of course my daughter wanted to follow suit.
Sophie S. Sep 10, 2009, 1:40pm EDT
The girls have way to many allergies to buy their lunches anywhere. It saves more money anyway and they get exactly what they want so everyone is cool with it.
Diane S. Sep 10, 2009, 1:45pm EDT
My kids buy the lunch at school. Our school lunch is very affordable for what you get, plus it saves me a lot of time.
Rachel W. Sep 10, 2009, 2:47pm EDT
My step son usually packs lunch but can buy when he asks too. He gets reduced priced lunch at school. We only pay 40 cents a day if he buys lunch. I prefer that he buy lunch because they usually serve healthier choices then what I have time to pack for him. He usually asks to pack lunch though.
Michelle S. Sep 10, 2009, 4:55pm EDT
no matter what....packing or buying; you have no idea what your kids are actually eating or not eating. i've worked in school lunch rooms, elementary mostly. you would be amazed at how much food is thrown in the garbage.
Kimberli T. Sep 11, 2009, 6:01am EDT
I had been so excited when I found out my daughter qualified for free lunches through the school... only to find out that 'cool' kids are 'lunchboxers' I didn't get let down, though. It's such a small thing to pack a simple lunch and make your child a cool child at school! She is so picky anyhow and it's easier to make sure she gets food she will actually consome that way.
Monique Mealue Sep 11, 2009, 2:10pm EDT
my son takes a lunch to school, but sometimes will buy if they are serving something good.
Achelois Mind Sep 11, 2009, 3:21pm EDT
We just moved so don't know if the school has pizza days etc so my daughter brings either a hot lunch (thermos) or a sandwich but the school also doesn't allow Nutella so I have to come up with a new sandwich idea.
Kate K. Sep 11, 2009, 3:46pm EDT
Now that my son is in high school, a homemade lunch presents too many opportunities for anxiety for him. Seriously. Like someone is going to mock his ham sandwich! So, oh well, anyway, he's just more comfortable with buying his lunch now and remaining with the institutional options.
Brooke S. Sep 12, 2009, 4:52pm EDT
I remember my mom taking liberties at those opportunities! I was the oldest of 6 kids, so she couldn't afford for us to buy lunch, even when we got to high school... so she would intentionally do little things to make us blush. One time I opened up my lunch sack and found a pack of gummy boogers. I was in 9th grade, and I was mortified!! Looking back, it was pretty funny. ;)
Kate K. Sep 12, 2009, 5:25pm EDT
Hahaha, okay, well, maybe my son was onto something!!! And I guess I missed a prime chance...!
Kim K. Sep 11, 2009, 5:13pm EDT
My son hates the cafeteria food. I have to pack his lunch in a brown bag. I generally fix different kinds of sandwiches for him (peanut butter and honey, ham, turkey, hot dogs). I always pack a gatorade, granola bar, and chips. Sometimes, he wants fruit, too. Once in a while, he wants to buy a chef salad or chicken strips at school.
cathie v. Sep 11, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
I homeschool so there should be options in the polls for that.
Lilith Dorsey Sep 12, 2009, 3:29pm EDT
Thanks for the poll.
Brooke S. Sep 12, 2009, 4:50pm EDT
My son typically takes his lunch, but one day out of each week he chooses a school menu item. His picks are usually the less-healthy options (ie. pizza or lasagna)... things he wouldn't get in his lunch sack. LOL smart cookie! :)
Amber M. Sep 13, 2009, 1:13am EDT
i don't have kids but i a m pretty sure if I did I would make a healthy lunch for them
Lesli B. Sep 13, 2009, 12:05pm EDT
Even in college mine still bring their lunch. They pack them themselves now, finally! LOL
Avon Lady Sep 13, 2009, 2:34pm EDT
If they sold the milk cartons like the school gets and like the orange juice cartons I would send them with that but the juice box is ok for now and orange juice is to acidic for there tummy.
Osofo Addo Sep 13, 2009, 4:18pm EDT
The kids naturally enjoy eating out so they enjoy the cafeteria food.
TINA s. Sep 13, 2009, 5:19pm EDT
they eat school dinners
Jennifer G. Sep 13, 2009, 5:26pm EDT
I want to say both . My youngest picks what he likes on the menu and if he doesnt, I pack a lunch for him. But my older boys eat school lunch everyday there not as picky as my little one.
J Z. Sep 13, 2009, 6:30pm EDT
Our school's lunches are fairly high in saturated fat, so my child takes lunch most days, and saves hot lunch for the really yummy menu days.
Nichole S. Sep 13, 2009, 11:20pm EDT
My son usually buys his lunch seeing as how it's $1.35 including his drink. I spend almost that packing one. If I do pack one it's usually because the first couple of days their menu is stuff he won't eat or he has a field trip.
Trish A. Sep 14, 2009, 6:29am EDT
I have a grown-up daughter who takes her lunch to work still. It's much cheaper and can be healthier.