'My child's class gets rewards for bringing 'nude' food in - it's ridiculous'

31 March 2023 , 15:28

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She doesn't think this system works for all parents (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images)

A mum has opened up about "lunchbox shame" after her daughter's school enforced a controversial new rewards system.

The class gets given a reward if everybody brings 'nude' food all week, which refers to things without any packaging, with an emphasis on being environmentally friendly.

Australian mum Shona Hendley now fears things are getting "out of hand" a bit, in an age where beautifully curated lunchboxes are shared by mummy influencers online.

Although Shona respects anyone who goes to such impressive and eco-friendly efforts, she also knows this just isn't doable for everyone, as not everyone has the time, money, or energy.

Shona has called out 'lunchbox shame' and the impossible standards placed on parents (Getty Images)

In an article written for Kidspot, Shona wrote: "Unless you are there popping your own corn kernels (which may or may have not also come in packaging), baking your own muesli bar alternatives every week, or drying grapes to make home-shrivelled sultanas, well the snacks are coming in plastic or boxes. And this means nude food lunchboxes are just a farce."

Dad leaves angry note in daughter's lunchbox after teacher slams food choice

Proceeding to highlight just why she believes such policies to be unhelpful, Shona admitted: "The truth is, all I am doing, all many parents are doing, is removing the snack and repackaging it into a container in order to follow the nude food rule.

"In the end, there is still waste, it just goes in a different bin."

Earlier this week, another mum called Sarah went viral after sharing her 'honest lunchbox' (Facebook)

Shona then went on to point to the example of another busy Aussie mum named Sarah, who recently went viral after sharing a pic of her son's "honest lunchbox" on Facebook.

A far cry from the 'perfect' looking creations you might see on some areas of Instagram, relatable Sarah shared that she had simply packed an ordinary sandwich, pear, and packet of rice snack sticks.

Sarah explained: "Yes, I would love to offer my child a smorgasbord of healthy goodies, but I have a fussy eater who prefers simple boring lunches, I pick my battles."

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Julia Banim