His teacher gave him money for the canteen

[~*familyof3*~]

I had this exact issue with ds1s school years ago. I to pack his lunch box much like you do. He would have fruit and yoghurt, then a sandwich with some sort of snack with it to and a muesli bar and rice crackers.
He also ate 3 weet bix with a banana for brekki. When at home he would never eat thus much so I knew it was enough.

Yet week after week I would get notes saying he had no lunch so they got him some from the canteen and that I had to pay xxxx dollars.
In the end I took his lunch bix to his teacher and showed her. I did this as I had spoken to her already and told her what I pack. Then I had the principal call to express concerns that he keeps not getting lunch. Which I asked didnt they find it odd my other child there had luch why would I only send it with one grrr

Turns out he was throwing most of it away as he inew they would then get him food from the canteen! !

[MrsFabuloso]

That's one thing I had thought too, familyof3. I don't *think* DS would do that, but it's a possibility that he might click that he will get money for junk if he chucks his healthy homemade stuff.

I talked to the teacher today, just 'Did he have enough food today?'. She kind of looked at me blankly, and I said he told us to give him more food because you said he didn't have enough, and gave him money. Then she said yes, he had enough, and I asked if he gave her the money and she said yes, and thanks. I thanked her, and I told her he got a slushy with the money and I was not really happy with that, and she said to him 'I told you to get a piece of fruit or something healthy!' So she did kind of try to get him to get something healthy, but seriously, a 5 yr old with money to get what he wants...?? As if he's going to buy an apple when he can have a slushy!

FWIW, he didn't even eat the extra food I gave him. He's just had it for his arvo snack. I didn't think he'd have that much, I don't think DH would even eat that much food! So he must have just had an extra hungry day.

[Phteven]

I'd probably start packing more food in his lunch box. Maybe divide it into 2 so he knows what is for what.
5 is about the age that both my children had a growth spurt that saw them eating pretty much the same as an adult some days.
I certainly pack more than that into DS1's lunchbox because he likes to eat a lot at school. DS is a lunch skipper so he has less and anything leftover is his afternoon snack unless his brother gets to it first.