DALLAS, GA -- A Paulding County mother wants to know why funnel cakes are being served for school breakfast. She sent a photo of the sugary treat to 11Alive's Valerie Hoff.
Crystal Collins runs a healthy living web site and was particularly appalled to see the breakfast she says dozens of children at her local elementary school were eating this week.
"Every child, line after line, had the same thing on their plate," she said. "Funnel cake and sugary juice, and that was it."
The photo she took attracted disbelief and outrage on social media, but a Paulding County Schools spokesperson says the blob of dough and sugar is not a funnel cake. She says the treat is baked, not fried.
"It's actually a Dutch waffle," said Suzanne Wooley of Paulding County Schools. "A Belgian waffle. It meets USDA requirements. It's two servings of whole grain."
Wooley says kids are required to choose a whole grain item and a fruit or juice, but national guidelines don't require milk or any type of protein, though they are required at all school meals.
We saw plenty of healthy choices at lunch on Wednesday.
The "Dutch waffle" meets federal guidelines, even though it contains at most, flour, sugar, water and shortening. And, it tastes...
"Like a donut," said 11Alive's Valerie Hoff. "Or a funnel cake."
"Yeah, it looks like a funnel cake, but it's really a waffle, which is what the kids wanted to eat," said Wooley.
Collins remained unconvinced.
"No, that's a funnel cake," she said. "It's got powdered sugar on it! Anyone who has any common sense can tell it's a funnel cake! And even it was a waffle, just having a waffle on your plate with a sugary juice, it's still not a good breakfast!"
We showed a photo of the "Dutch waffle" to a few grocery shoppers.
"What do you think that is?" Hoff asked Shannon Bogardus.
"A funnel cake," answered Bogardus.
"The school says it's a whole grain waffle," Hoff said.
"No, that is definitely not a waffle," Bogardus said.
"A Dutch waffle," Hoff said.
"A Dutch waffle? No, definitely not," Bogardus said.
"A Belgian waffle, maybe?" Hoff asked.
"No," Bogardus said.
"What's it look like?" Hoff asked Fred Kelly.
"A funnel cake," he replied.
"The school says it's a whole grain waffle," she told him.
"No, that doesn't look like a waffle to me," Kelly said.
The bottom line here is there are lots of healthy choices for kids at school and some questionable ones even if they meet federal standards. Experts say you can call your school and tell them what you don't want your child eating, and also talk to them at home about healthier choices.
Photos | Paulding County School meals
Photos | Paulding County school meals
11Alive is looking into the federal guidelines for school meals.
Watch the full report on 11Alive News at 6:00 p.m.
