The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-10-08
LUNCH BOX
 PARADE IS ON
School Children Need We'll Planned LuncheS-Milk
 Is Essential

Each year when autumn comes and schools reopen aYter the sum- mer vacation, there is not only rush to the stores for pencils and the many other things in their fresh newness that delight the child. but parade is formed in all parts of the country. The insignia car- ried by each girl and boy is a lunch box.
 Every child of school age may join this autumn parade, but not every child is adequately prepared for 1t (unless there has been 6 health examination and care given when needed, to teeth, eyes, etc.).
 To start the day right children should be up in time to eat with out haste. If 1t is time for the bus, or Q school friend is calling outside the food eaten cannot do It's best. The menu should contain something to give energy, to build and to regulate. It can be simple SO that mother will not have too many tasks, and planned so that the child can help very often.
 whether the luncheon is served at home or school; whether 1t. must be packed box or one hot dish: or a well organized cafeteria, 1t should be carefully planned.
 No growing child will thrive prop rely on two meals a day and a "pa- per bag" luncheon daily. The chiids real allotment, needed if you would have him develop in mind and body Is three full meals. In many in- stances an additional luncheon is needed, but this should be served early in the morning notl ater than 10 o'clock.
 In planning menus for the school lunch, again one thinks of the fol- lowing factors: the growth needs of the child; the foods that are most nutritious; the appeal to the appe. tite of the children; and economy. Also those that can be readily and easily prepared and which require little equipment.
 Milk comes first among the foods most valuable for school lunches. It contains more of the ssential food clements than does any one other flood. It can be served in many forms, 1t is palatable and appetizing, inexpensive and economical. Milk, fruit and vegetables furnish the basis of any correctly planned luncheon.
 Today 1t Is believed that the school lunch is a part of every schools health program" Hence when a child is compelled to go to school, does not society obligate It. self to provide the essentials for healthtul living? In the case of food. this point becomes peculiarly significant, because if we expect re- sults-a full return on money in. vested in education--some provision must be made whereby the energy fuel necessary to metal activity is insured. What a child puts into school work, in no small measure comes from what he eats.
 It is not meant that the school should necessarily furnish free food, The cost of Q duncheon or mid- morning milk and crackers at school is. of course. a proper charge upon parents. It is, meant that the school is obligated. particularly where chill dren cannot return home at roon to provide @ suitable luncheon room, to furnish essential foods at cost. and to take advantage of this ideal deucatiVe opportunity.
 An attractively packed lunch de. peds on rediness-a drawer or sec- ton of the cupboard exclusively for the equipment needed in packing the lunch. The following items are suggested: Scissors. paper napkins, waxed paper, small glass jars, small pasteboard containers, string, bread knife, paper dihes and Straws.
 BEATRICE HALL,