5 day old sandwich! WWYD?

[AmandaKDT]

I wouldn't give it to her. Poor child.

Although I don't offer substitutes, that's because I provide the meals here. I think in this situation, I would make the child a fresh sandwich but be speaking with the parent at pick up time tonight.

Is it possible that the lunch was a misunderstanding? Could it be that it was left in the bag in error last week and then one parent, feeling the weight of the bag this morning, thought the other parent had made her fresh lunch and so just grabbed it as they left? Is there perhaps something else going on at home - maybe a sick parent or a hospitalized parent leaving one over stretched and dropping the ball?

Speak to the parent and get a feel if this was a real and genuine mix up or an intentional action. You know your clients so you should be able to judge it once you are speaking with them.

If it was a known action, find out why. Is there a financial issue going on at home and they are struggling to put food into their children? If so, is there a way you can help - perhaps a small fee to provide a fresh meal if that's a service you offer for other children or perhaps a short term agreement can be offered whilst they sort out their issue?

Or has the child become a picky eater and the parent is making a point? If so, a 5 day old food item isn't acceptable in your home and although today you bailed them out and provided an alternative meal, I be clear that this wasn't going to be an on-going resolution and that food fit for consumption must be provided. Any future instances of this foolishness would result in you calling them to provide a suitable meal for their child as per the arrangement.

Find out a bit more first rather than jump to conclusions, just in case there's something more going on. Then once you have the facts, you can determine your response in the future.


I used to work in an Elementary school which didn't have a canteen and so all students needed a lunch brought from home. It was fairly frequent that a child wouldn't have a lunch or something was off with the food they did have. Sure, there were some parents who were lazy and not fulfilling their duties but sometimes, there was genuine hardship or a real reason for the issue. You just never know what's going on sometimes.

The dad came with the new lunch and appologized, he was embarassed about her being sent with an old lunch. I have had this family for over a year and this is the first time this has happened, and I am sure it won't happen again. I don't know the reason for it happening, but I won't make a big deal about it. Who knows what was going on at home.

It doesn't have anything to do with being a picky eater, the girl always eats what she is given here even if she doesn't really like it.

I don't provide food, and am not interested in providing it. With being licensed I can't charge any more than the rates set by the government, so I don't provide food as I could not afford to do so.

I wasn't really jumping to conclusions about anything, just wasn't sure what to do.