If you grew up in the United States, the concept of a school cafeteria lunch might seem like an actual punch line. This is especially true if you were in grade school during the 1990s, when cafeteria lunches revolved around frozen pizza, chicken nuggets, and mysterious goopy goo. (You know what I mean.) In the States, school cafeteria lunches have a reputation for being equal parts unhealthy and unappealing. Luckily, regulations like the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act have been put in place. This act was created in an effort to help schools steer away from the greasy fries and even greasier pizza. Many individual school districts are also doing their part by involving nutritionists in the menu-planning process. In late 2018, one school district in Missouri even banned fast food from their cafeterias. Despite some improvements, it’s still interesting to see what school cafeteria lunches around the world look like. Generally, it seems like most school lunches around the world don’t focus on packaged or frozen food. Many lunches include dishes that are actually cooked from scratch, so they’re less likely to include a ton of processed ingredients. The food even looks like, well, food! Here’s a look at lunches that have been served in school cafeterias around the world.
Finland
We would 100% eat this. This school lunch in Finland includes (what looks like) crepes with lingonberries, side salad, and bread.
 Fun fact: In September, lingonberries are abundant in Finland! They’re also known as cowberries and taste similar to cranberries.
We imagine that this makes for a delicious lunch that doesn’t make you feel weighed down after.
Japan
Looks well-balanced. Bread, beef stew, salad, and pudding come together in this Japanese school cafeteria lunch.How cute is that pudding cup, by the way? The plating and packaging along makes us want this for lunch — even as an adult. Where can we get one of those pudding cups for ourselves?
France
This school lunch in France looks like it has some kind of eggs Benedict dish (yum!), soup, grapefruit, and lots of greens.
We’re not sure how we’d feel about eating eggs Benedict for lunch, but it does look well-made and pretty delicious.
We also appreciate how green this selection is and don’t mind that fresh-looking grapefruit at all.
Sweden
Pasta, veggies, and a pear make up this colorful school lunch in Sweden.
The best is that, according to Sweden’s National Food Agency, “[T]he Swedish school meal model is unique in offering free meals to all children in the ages 7-16 and to most students aged 16-19, on an everyday basis.”
Other countries, take notice!
Czech Republic
Simple, but hopefully nutritious? This school lunch in Czech Republic includes poultry (chicken, maybe?) and rice garnished with a fresh herb.Â
The side dish is a soup.
Though this seems simple compared to what we’ve seen thus far, all that really matters is that it’s nutritious enough to give students the energy they need to get through the day.
Germany
We love the looks of that salad. The main dish of this German school cafeteria lunch includes beans, mashed potatoes, pasta, and a big meatball. The side salad includes a hard-boiled egg and creamy dressing. Honestly, we appreciate the variety when it comes to the side salad — no one likes eating a salad that’s only tomatoes and lettuce.
Greece
Our favorite thus far. This Grecian lunch appears to consist of rice with chicken, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), a cucumber and tomato salad, yogurt with pomegranates, and a mandarin or two. We appreciate the diversity, and that there are plenty of different options for students to choose from. We truly love how colorful this lunch tray is!
8. India
Also delicious-looking.
This school cafeteria lunch in India includes egg biriyani and what looks like naan and a herb yogurt sauce. Egg biriyani is a popular dish in North India. It’s made of basmati rice, spices, and egg — and it sounds amazing! Perfect for a lunchtime treat when you’re starting to hit a mid-day slump.
9. South Korea
How gram-worthy is this school lunch?
It was served in South Korea and included red leaf lettuce and sesame leaves, which were to be wrapped around the steamed pork. According to the caption, the lunch also included a variety of sides, including kimchi, rice, wild greens soup, and steamed egg cake. Again, another country that isn’t afraid to offer students some variety — and an on-site nutritionist, according to the Instagram above
10. China
Rice, curry, and potatoes are the main part of this school cafeteria in lunch. There’s also a side salad and starfruit. According to The Daily Meal, “In Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province in China, meals at universities are served up on sterling silver trays and cost two to three dollars.” Not a bad price!
11. United Kingdom
This school in Nottingham served a lunch of baked beans, sausage, mash, and a cookie. According to The Independent, since 2005, chef Jamie Oliver has been urging the U.K. government to do better when it comes to students’ school lunches. In 2012, he said he’d lost faith in them, which is really disappointing to hear.
12. Italy
This school lunch in Italy includes roasted veal, saffron risotto, veggies, bread, and an orange. In 2017, Gambero Rosso explained that Italian schools must offer lunches with a starchy dish, a main course, two or more veggie sides, and plenty of fresh fruit. Plus, Italy’s law actually prevents school cafeterias from serving potato chips, French fries, and other deep-fried treats.
13. Indonesia
[School Lunch Jepang 10] Menu masakan Indonesia: Nasi Kari, Ayam Bakar, Gado-gado, Soto Ayam (SMP Ajisu, Yamaguchi) pic.twitter.com/E3n3uRHRrJ
— Taka (Oi Jepang) (@IwanPalsu) November 21, 2013
In Indonesia, this school’s cafeteria lunch featured nasi kari (rice with curry), ayam bakar (charcoal-grilled chicken), gado-gado (salad served with peanut dressing), and soto ayam (spicy chicken soup). This is especially important considering that one in three Indonesian children, aged 6-14, do not consume enough nutritious foods, according to Reuters.
14. Slovakia
This school lunch in Slovakia includes roasted fish, sweet potatoes, carrots, and what looks like red bell peppers. We can’t get over how fresh this food looks, and the fact that it’s served on an actual plate instead of a cardboard or metal tray. That alone makes us want to chow down on this meal and not waste a bit of food.
15. Thailand
@sylviawitteman : School lunch today was noodles. The students add their own condiments #ThaiFood #Thailand pic.twitter.com/rA5gSpDoVv
— NoodlesoupLotus (@NoodlesoupLotus) February 3, 2015
This school in Thailand served noodles with cilantro and meat. They also let the students add their own condiments. How fun! Even giving kids this simple option can make a huge difference, giving them control over what they are eating. If the food is to their personal liking, that makes them more likely to eat what’s on their plates.
16. Trinidad
Even the school lunch here is amaze balls ! 😋😋 #Trinidad pic.twitter.com/dEF656Gmdi
— Chidibella (@chidibellaa) August 18, 2016
In Trinidad, school lunch includes mixed rice, beans, meats, cooked greens, and watermelon. And according to the above Twitter user, the school food there tastes as yummy as it looks. Though, it might not be fun for someone who is fully against having their food touch on their plate. We all know someone like that.
17. Canada
With all the hullabaloo about Canada's food guide, some want to take nutrition a step further: with a national school lunch program. More on that at 6:12
— Windsor Morning (@WindsorMorning) January 28, 2019
Tune to 97.5fm or 91.9fm or stream live here - https://t.co/aveUkioAdF pic.twitter.com/iKaSIH0Ork
This school cafeteria lunch in Canada includes a pre-packaged grilled cheese sandwich, baby carrots, pears, and a corn and bean salad. Unfortunately, according to a 2018 Huffington Post article, Canada is behind other countries when it comes to providing students with nutritious food. In response, several political figures are asking the government to develop a nutrition program for the kids.
18. Spain
This is a school lunch in Spain. The Spanish people also are given 34 paid days off.
— Angela Rickerd (@robloxsmom) September 28, 2016
It must be so nice. pic.twitter.com/uNxUu4luqp
In certain areas of Spain, cafeterias serve shrimp with rice, veggies, soup, and bread. As a healthy sweet treat, there’s even an orange on the side. A blogger on the Language Assistants’ Blog, who moved to Spain and was working at a school, said, “In the months that have passed since that first day, school meals in Spain have rarely been disappointing.” That’s great to hear.
United States of America
Could be better…
If you grew up in the States like myself, this school lunch probably looks the most familiar. It includes pizza, corn, soft pretzel, canned fruit, and chocolate milk. Food Revolution Network states that there is a lot to be desired when it comes to American school lunches, but that there is hope for improvement. This would, of course, require funding that would allow for more regulation and healthier school food vendors.
BRB, time to make lunch!
