But (as we found out recently) the school is not allowed to refuse to serve food if the child is legally entitled to it – something to do with the duty of care they assume when accepting the child at the school, finger print or no finger print.

The cafe manager had made a decision that was not hers to make…

You can’t blame the cafe manager for defending a staff member when an allegation of abuse is made though. The reaction of the cafe manager was a mistake I grant you that; a quick but formal investigation by school staff would have given an accurate account by both sides involved and witnesses would have been allowed to make representations for both sides and an amicable agreement by both parties to have no further action taken would have been suffice in this instance.

That said, your story is somewhat different to the issue that was initially being discussed.

What would you do if the school your daughter attends decided to introduce electronic payment technology to bring about “cashless” transactions? As long as sufficient notice of their intention was provided in the form of an addressed letter to the parents by post that anyone who wants to use the system has to comply with the basic requirements and anyone who does not want to use the system will have to bring their own packed lunch in from an agreed date? That’s hardly unreasonable in my opinion and I am sure that the school are perfectly entitled to do this? You as a parent have a clear choice, either you continue to allow your daughter to eat by agreeing to the new system or you choose to provide her with a packed lunch?