As long as you get the nutrients/minerals you need the schedule of when and how you eat is irrelevant.

networkn:

CamH: Yes this is a problem, but a problem that needs to be solved by the parents.


If anything is done, I reckon there should be some sort of partially funded school programme where parents pay $2 per day and the school provides some sort of food. Make it compulsory, take it off their benefit or whatever it takes.

I quite like this idea, though with the bleeding hearts I can't see it ever getting done. 

DonGould:

networkn:

CamH: Yes this is a problem, but a problem that needs to be solved by the parents.


If anything is done, I reckon there should be some sort of partially funded school programme where parents pay $2 per day and the school provides some sort of food. Make it compulsory, take it off their benefit or whatever it takes.

I quite like this idea, though with the bleeding hearts I can't see it ever getting done. 

Why take it off the benefit? 

Why not just fund it from higher taxes on alcohol and smokes?

networkn:
It's also worth noting these parents who couldn't "afford" to feed the kids "proper" meals had individually wrapped cookie times and other expensive items which could be replaced with bread and jam which would be more filling etc, for a similar cost. 

berry:

networkn:
It's also worth noting these parents who couldn't "afford" to feed the kids "proper" meals had individually wrapped cookie times and other expensive items which could be replaced with bread and jam which would be more filling etc, for a similar cost. 

This is the part I have a problem with. Showing the "poor" kids lunches of cookie time and soft drink does not convince me that they need more money. Surely it's not a matter of education either - who thinks a cookie is better than a salad sandwich!

Cookie time cookie $1.84 * 5 = $9.20
Loaf of multigrain toast $2.99, Lettuce $2.79, jar of vegemite $3.49 = $9.27

The so called poverty in actual dollar terms is not the issue.

networkn: 

Personally I'd like to see all beneficiaries get a card with an amount loaded on it that could only be spent on food at supermarkets not on alcohol and cigarettes!

networkn: Personally I'd like to see all beneficiaries get a card with an amount loaded on it that could only be spent on food at supermarkets not on alcohol and cigarettes!

crackrdbycracku:  In exchange they will work hard, pay taxes and raise the next generation who won't need the State.

berry: Cookie time cookie $1.84 * 5 = $9.20
Loaf of multigrain toast $2.99, Lettuce $2.79, jar of vegemite $3.49 = $9.27

The so called poverty in actual dollar terms is not the issue.

DonGould: 

wow that's a leap.

I suggest that they're more likely to grow up resenting the state for taking their parents.  Just look at the 'white families' policies in Australia and the impact that has had.

DonGould: 

How would you break up the benefit though?  

crackrdbycracku: I do think if we are serious about solving a problem like this then we need to be thinking on this scale. 

wdoa: What if the schools home economic classes made lunch for the entire school? They would learn great skills for the future. in their families and even for job prospects.

DonGould:

crackrdbycracku: I do think if we are serious about solving a problem like this then we need to be thinking on this scale. 

Yes, sorry to cherry pick a comment without commenting on the rest of your post.

I largely agree with the scale of what you're saying.

Personally I think the answer to this food problem is to provide hot meals in schools, all schools, at breakfast and lunch.

But I also think we should look to growing vegies on site at the schools as well and employing local youth to tend those crops and work in the kitchens and assist in the supervision of feeding.

We have 25% youth unemployment. 

We are doing a shocking job of creating employment for our youth and this strikes me as a really obvious and easy solution to both problems at the same time.