5 things: School manager’s “theft” giving workers “wasted” food: attorney

Each Friday I compile a list that highlights five things you probably missed in the news that week and why you should care about them.

Here’s your list for the week of June 4:

1. School manager’s “theft” giving workers “wasted” food: attorney

A former cafeteria manager for Zion Elementary School District 6 outside Chicago was charged with theft. Her attorney says the theft consisted of allowing employees to take home food that the manager deemed would be “wasted” and so didn’t believe it would harm the district financially. No further details have been made available. Two additional foodservice employees also resigned over the matter (the manager resigned earlier this summer), saying their resignations were not admissions of guilt. The state attorney’s office was asked to investigate the alleged thefts.

Read more: Ex-Zion elementary school foods manager charged with theft

2. Bon Appetite bans straws

The contract management company announced late last week that it would be phasing out the use of plastic straws at all 1,000 of its accounts. The move, which starts immediately, is expected to be completed by September 2019. For customers who have a physical need for a straw, paper straws would be made available. The move is being done to cut down on plastic straws that end up in oceans and waterways.

Read more: Big food-service outfit banning plastic straws at more than 1,000 U.S. eateries

3. Scotland to ban smoothies, fruit juice in school meals

In an effort to cut down on childhood obesity, Scotland wants to ban smoothies and fruit juices sold in schools. The country is also looking at other measures, including providing a minimum of two portion of vegetables and a portion of fruit as part of a school lunch. The smoothie and fruit juice ban is part of the government’s plan to cut down on sugars.

Read more: School meal smoothie ban in obesity fight

4. Cafeteria worker fired after giving student personal information
A cafeteria worker from the Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton, N.Y., has been fired after an investigation revealed she had passed a note containing her personal information to a 13-year-old male student. It included her name, phone number, address and directions to her home. The police concluded that while the message was inappropriate, it was not criminal.

Read more: Police: Brighton cafeteria worker handed note to student with address, phone number
 
5. Barnard backtracks on meal plan changes after student pushback
When Barnard College recently changed up its meal plan offerings, students voiced their disapproval. The changes took away the amount of options available, but the biggest sticking point for students was that the lower priced options were removed. Barnard students cannot fully opt out of meal plans, according to the Daily Columbia Spectator. Currently, students who live outside the Quad residential area have been able to purchase a meal plan for as little as $662, but the proposed changes would have required those students to purchase one at a minimum of $2,150.

Read more: Barnard backtracks after changes to meal plan pricing structure spark student outrage

Bonus: Debunking 7 myths about Gen Z’s food habits

Contact Becky Schilling at [email protected].
Follow her on Twitter: @bschilling_FM