Alternative Lunch is Served

Growing up, I was one of the kids who actually liked eating school lunches. My kids, however, never did. But I have found them alternatives that redefine what you normally envision as a school lunch.

Consider the kid's gourmet school lunches from Sorella della Taverna. Unhappy with the lunches served at schools and knowing that kids weren't eating, Executive Chef Mary Ann Vitale decided to act on those complaints from parents and created Sorella's school lunch program. Vitale notes that "now kids have something to eat and it can carry them for the rest of the day."

Meals start at just $3.50, and kids can choose entrees such as chicken parmesan nuggets, pennette pasta with tiny meatballs, or BBQ chicken with pasta parmesan and butter. All lunches come with celery, carrot and fruit. Meals are healthy, with no additives, low fat and made in Sorella's kitchens. Older kids who need a little extra can easily add chips or any of the delicious freshly baked treats. One mom who was ordering lunches commented that she gets them simply because "my kids like them."

Hundreds of Sorella's lunches are delivered free of charge to La Jolla Elementary, Gillespie School, All Hallows Academy, Montessori School and Muirlands schools. Parents may order lunches for the day, a week, month or even a semester in advance. Lunches can also be picked up, which is especially convenient for those weekly half days, or eat in for a nice lunch for both parent and child—plus visit with the many friends who hang out at Sorella's. Vitale says parents are happy and thankful, and she is glad that Sorella can "help out the community." 

Subway is another convenient alternative to school lunches. Stores open at 7 a.m. Grab a kid's meal, which includes a personalized 3-inch sandwich, apples, milk, collectible stickers and a reusable lunch bag for $4. And don't forget your local grocery store. Ralph's deli counter sells kids meals starting at $3.50, with a selection of deli sandwiches, macaroni & cheese or chicken drumstick. Packaged in a handy carryout box, the meal includes chips, choice of apple or banana, apple juice and a small toy. For your sushi-loving child, go to the prepared foods section at Vons and grab a package of sushi for only $6. Pair it with some fruit, a drink plus some chopsticks, and your child is good to go.

Although there still seems to be a stigma about eating school lunches, they have come a long way. All San Diego Unified School District elementary schools offer Kid's Choice Café, a lunch program that encourages kids to select wise food choices and to develop healthy eating habits. SDUSD is also implementing a new Farm to School program where the goals are to have 25 percent of the fresh fruits and vegetables come from local sources, use sustainably raised hormone and antibiotic free meats/proteins, and to have one "all local" lunch per month.

Students get three entrée choices and then proceed to the salad bar to make their personal selections and serving size of green salad, vegetables and fruits. Besides the usual choices of pizza, chicken patty sandwich or a cheeseburger, students now have menu picks of broccoli and cheese baked potato, Szechuan chicken and vegetables with rice or (my favorite) turkey and gravy with mashed potatoes. Students pay only $2 for a hot lunch, including milk. Parents can go onto the SDUSD website and pay into their child's account. The key is that students do enjoy being able to have control over their dining options, ensuring they will actually eat what's on their plate.

For school lunches, go to:

Sorella della Taverna, 7429 Girard Ave., 858-866-6400, open from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Subway, 7514 Girard Ave., Ste.9, 858-454-0357, or 2206 Torrey Pines Rd., 858-459-2300, open at 7 a.m.

Ralphs, 8657 Villa La Jolla Dr., 858-597-1550, open 24 hours

Vons, 7544 Girard Ave., 858-454-2620, open at 5 a.m.

San Diego Unified School District, www.sandi.net (go to Schools tab, then click on Food Service)