Parents complain that the school is buying expensive food.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the price of watermelon at nearly 60,000 VND or pork loin at 220,000 VND per kilogram was complained about by some parents at Phuoc Long B Kindergarten as being too expensive, prompting the Education Department to request adjustments.

On October 2nd, the lunch menu at Phuoc Long B Kindergarten in Thu Duc City caused a stir among many parents. Ms. Thanh, the parent of a 3-year-old child at the school, argued that the prices listed were unreasonable.

Specifically, seedless watermelon costs 58,900 VND, pork loin costs 219,800 VND per kg, and Safoco egg noodles cost 115,800 VND per kg. Meanwhile, according to Ms. Thanh, at Co.op online supermarket, seedless watermelon costs only 16,300 VND, pork loin costs 182,000 VND, and Safoco egg noodles cost 73,800 VND per kg. As for potatoes, unpeeled potatoes cost 38,000-45,000 VND per kg at the supermarket, while peeled potatoes cost 89,800 VND.

"I know that the price of food at the school will be different from the market price because it has to meet quality standards, but this price is still much higher than at the supermarket," Ms. Thanh said.

Ms. Bich, another parent attending the school, acknowledged that while the price of fresh food can fluctuate, dry goods like noodles, sugar, fish sauce, and cooking oil that the school imports are also more expensive than usual.

According to parents, the school is currently charging 15,000 VND for breakfast and 35,000 VND per day for lunch and afternoon snack. They are worried that the school's high import costs may affect their children's meals.

"With that price, is the quantity and quality of the children's meals guaranteed?" Ms. Bich questioned.

Price list for lunch on October 2nd at Phuoc Long B Kindergarten. Photo: Provided by parents. — Price list for lunch on October 2nd at Phuoc Long B Kindergarten. Photo: *Provided by parents.*

Speaking to VnExpress on the morning of October 6th, Ms. Dinh Thi Xuan Chau, Principal of Phuoc Long B Kindergarten, said that all food supplied to the school follows a safe food chain, with complete information on the supplier, invoices, and origin of goods.

"The school selected the food supplier based on reputation and quality to ensure meals for students," Ms. Chau said, adding that the food price list is publicly posted on the bulletin board for parents to monitor, but there have been no comments about the price or quality.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thai Vinh Nguyen, Head of the Education and Training Department of Thu Duc City, the school is collecting meal fees in accordance with the regulations of the City People's Council. Accordingly, the maximum price for breakfast and lunch is 20,000 and 35,000 VND respectively. Regarding the parents' complaints, the Department has requested the school to review the food procurement prices and compare them with those of other schools in the area.

"Realizing that the food prices offered by this supplier were unsuitable, the department suggested that the school switch suppliers," Mr. Nguyen said.

Further explaining, Mr. Nguyen said that food supplied to schools must meet strict safety standards, so the price will differ from that at the market. However, schools need to review whether the supplier's price is in line with the general market price. The department also requested other schools in the area to review this matter.

Phuoc Long B Kindergarten was inaugurated at the end of April and currently has nearly 200 preschool children enrolled.

Last year, approximately 70% of the more than 2,300 schools in Ho Chi Minh City provided school lunches. The Department of Education and Training required schools to select food for their kitchens that met standards for a safe food supply chain, achieving at least one of the following standards: HACCP, ISO 22000:2005, VietGap, or Global Gap. Food supplied to schools must have a clear origin, supported by invoices and documents from production, processing, and distribution facilities.

Le Nguyen

* Parent's name has been changed

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