Shanya Gottshalk, Gleaner Writer

Lunch time should be a happy time for children so give them some of their favourite foods as often as possible. - PHOTOS BY Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Lifestyle visited Liberty Academy on Hope Road in St. Andrew, to find out what are some of the lunch-time preferences for children.

We spoke to the students from the junior campus and they had varying views on what they want to eat and what their parents pack in their lunch kits.

Ten-year-old Kaleb Aguilar says his mother packs the usual "fruit, snacks, and juice" in his lunch kit.

However, sometimes children do not like what is packed. Ten-year-old Richard Harris said he wants his mother to pack foods like mango, Viva juices, and sandwiches like peanut butter and jelly in his lunch kit. "I like pizza, spaghetti and meatballs and chili dogs, they taste good," said 10-year-old Kriston Kong.

"I don't like bun and cheese sandwiches because after a time it changes colour and smells bad," said Richard.

When asked about the food served at the canteen, the children said that they all thought it was good. Negus McClymont, an 11-year-old who buys lunch at the school canteen said, "they have great chefs and the food is good and they encourage children to eat healthy by serving salads."

The salad served is usually lettuce and carrots with a dressing.

However, not all the students were in agreement. One student said that she did not like the food they serve at the canteen. "Every day they serve chicken, with no variety," she said. Another student said that sometimes she likes the food at the canteen but sometimes it doesn't taste right.

There were a number of suggestions made on what they want the canteen to serve starting September. One student said that she wanted them to serve more vegetarian foods, fish and other seafoods. Another wanted less chicken and pork because most children do not eat pork and one boy said he wanted to see Mega patties in September.