School lunches are an important part of children’s development; it is their main nutrition meal as they learn throughout the day. Cafeteria food has long come under scrutiny for various reasons yet 32 million children will eat it Monday to Friday. Sweetgreen is a chain of salad restaurants that are involved in school programs aimed to educate children about healthy eating and living a healthy lifestyle.
With childhood obesity being a hot topic, they set up these images showing what other cafeterias are serving in schools across the world. The photos are rather eye-opening and should spark a healthy debate about what is considered a nutritional meal. Upon viewing what some countries have to offer their youth, from fresh fruit, vegetables, and other wholesome ingredients, it’s clear that a lot more can be done to provide better meals from children in education.
School Lunches Around The World
School Lunch in Italy
Local fish on a bed of arugula, pasta with tomato sauce, caprese salad, baguette, and some grapes.
Finland
Pea soup, beet salad, carrot salad, bread and pannakkau (dessert pancake) with fresh berries.
School Lunch in France
Steak, carrots, green beans, cheese and fresh fruit.
Brazil
Pork with mixed veggies, black beans and rice, salad, bread and baked plantains.
South Korea
Fish soup, tofu over rice, kimchi and fresh veggies.
Greece
Baked chicken over orzo, stuffed grape leaves, tomato and cucumber salad, fresh oranges, and greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds.
Ukraine
Mashed potatoes with sausage, borscht, cabbage and syrniki (a dessert pancake).
Spain
Sautéed shrimp over brown rice and vegetables, gazpacho, fresh peppers, bread and an orange.
USA
Fried ‘popcorn’ chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, fruit cup, and a chocolate chip cookie.
