Image Credit: Flickr / ajari. Modified by True Activist.

By: Amanda Froelich,

True Activist.

In effort to ensure that every child receives nourishing food at school, the Manitoba Government’s Early Learning and Child Care lunch program implemented regulations for Canada’s families and their schoolchildren. The problem is that few understand what a balanced diet is, shown by the shocking example that follows.

Because school food is notorious for lacking in appeal as well as nutritional value, packing a wholesome home-made meal seems like the right action for a parent concerned about their child’s health. But this means the packed lunch must be within regulation of the school’s expectations: 1 meat, 1 milk, 1 grain, and 2 fruit/vegetables to be included.

If the school decides a child’s lunch is “unbalanced”, where “balance” refers to the food guide set by Canada’s Food Guide, then that lunch will be “supplemented” and the parent is given a fine.

For mom, Kristen Bartkiw, this meant that her home cooked leftovers of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, an orange, and milk were deemed ‘unacceptable’. Why? Because a ‘grain’ was missing. Not taking into account that potatoes are a starch and offer plenty of energizing carbohydrates, the school slapped the following ticket on both of her children’s lunch boxes and fined the parents $10.

Source: Weightymatters.com