Parental checkup systems like MealpayPlus and ParentOnline.net recently started popping up in schools nationwide; this fall, the parents of an estimated 1.5 million kids will be able to use them. Schools are signing up because they make lines move quickly–and, for some, they’re free. MealpayPlus doesn’t charge for its system; it makes money on transaction fees when parents put money on kids’ accounts.
It’s worth it for parents who want a say in their children’s eating habits. They can even specify foods they don’t want their kids to eat. If the child tries to buy a prohibited item, an alert flashes on the cashier’s computer. Of course, the system isn’t foolproof. According to a KRC Research survey, 73 percent of 8- to 12-year-olds are throwing out part of their lunches at least once a week; 36 percent are trading them.
