El Paso Parents React to School Policy Charging for Utensils and Condiments

Parents at Tippin Elementary in El Paso were surprised to learn about a policy at the start of the school year that charges for extra utensils and condiments. This unexpected charge raised concerns among parents and their children, who now worry about having the right change on hand.

The EPISD's Food & Nutrition Services department has a detailed list of charges for individual menu items, including a line item for "Utensil Pack, PC, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, 6 compartment trays, Ice Cup $0.15."

While some parents were caught off guard by this policy, others have not experienced any issues with charges for their children. An EPISD spokesperson explained that the Food and Nutrition Program is federally funded and aimed at providing nutritious meals for students. The revenue generated by the program is based on student meals served, with all items purchased using federal reimbursement from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

The practice of offering 'a la carte' menu items, such as the utensils in question, has been in place for over twenty-five years and is clearly posted at each campus cafeteria and on the district's website. The district ensures that no student will be denied a meal or utensils due to financial reasons, and is committed to working with parents to ensure transparency regarding cafeteria costs and operations.

What do you think?

• Should schools charge for extra utensils and condiments?
• Do you think parents should have been informed about this policy earlier?
• Is it fair for students to be charged for basic meal necessities?