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Ask a person their favorite memory from school and you will get some relatable replies. Some might recall the amusing experiments from the science lab, others might miss the creative art and craft class. But one thing that is cherished by many people is their lunch break.

Those happy moments when you savored meals and gossiped with friends in the cafeteria. Today, we’ve gathered pictures that show what schools from all over the globe have on their lunch menus. Keep scrolling to see how culture and location plays an important role in the diversity of school food. Get ready to feel hungry because some of the food on these plates looks absolutely delicious!

#1

The University Lunch At Copenhagen University. 1.21€ Per 100 Gram

The University Lunch At Copenhagen University. 1.21€ Per 100 Gram

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Kobe (she)
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7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks delicious, healthy and affordable. That means that you can have a full lunch for like 6,50 - 8 euro.

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As per World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 reports, approximately 41 million kids under the age of 5 are overweight globally. And, nearly 340 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 are overweight and obese. Studies show that childhood body mass index (BMI) and obesity are likely to continue into adulthood. Approximately 55% of overweight children go on to be obese in adolescence. There is an 80% chance that obese adolescents will still be obese in adulthood.

This increases the possibility for several diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Childhood obesity has increased tenfold in the past four decades. Many school-going children consume a good amount of their food energy at the institute.

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    #2

    My Korean School Lunch! Free For All The Students

    My Korean School Lunch! Free For All The Students

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    #3

    My High School Lunch, A Beef Poke Bowl, California

    My High School Lunch, A Beef Poke Bowl, California

    Throwaway82598 Report

    The food served for breakfast or lunch in schools is important as it impacts a child’s health. According to research, school food is considered more nutritious compared to other meals we get from different sources. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) studied the diet quality of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) that serves over 31 million children in the United States every day.

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    The study examined the quality of food eaten by 2,190 children who were selected as a representative sample nationally. Results indicated that the school-provided lunch had greater nutritional value compared to meals from elsewhere across both age and income categories.

    #4

    Korean Middle School Lunch. For Students It's Free, And For Teachers, Like Me, We Pay Around 50 Bucks A Month For 20 Meals. A Good Deal, Honestly

    Korean Middle School Lunch. For Students It's Free, And For Teachers, Like Me, We Pay Around 50 Bucks A Month For 20 Meals. A Good Deal, Honestly

    Lokimonoxide Report

    #5

    My Korean School Lunch Of Spicy Braised Chicken, Ham And Sausage Stew, And Various Side Dishes

    My Korean School Lunch Of Spicy Braised Chicken, Ham And Sausage Stew, And Various Side Dishes

    darkrealm190 , darkrealm190 Report

    #6

    Free School Lunch In Stockholm, Sweden

    Free School Lunch In Stockholm, Sweden

    Cool_Kalkon Report

    #7

    Middle School Lunch - Honolulu

    Middle School Lunch - Honolulu

    LynnsFriedRice Report

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    Ms.GB
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like a typical school lunch in the US. At least when and where I went to school.

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    #9

    Lunch In A Public High School In Luxembourg (Filet Mignon)

    Lunch In A Public High School In Luxembourg (Filet Mignon)

    Foreign_Beach_1990 Report

    Children who were not a part of the NSLP consumed approximately 58% more total fat and 60% more saturated fat. Their added sugar intake was double the amount than NSLP participants. On the other hand, NSLP students had better food-group composition and more fruits in their diet. Their meals were more favorable in macronutrients as well.

    #10

    School Lunch In California (Free). Zucchini, Radish, Avocado Slices, Grapefruit, Apples In The Bag, And A Bean And Cheese Burrito From A Local Restaurant. The Cafeteria Is Buffet Style

    School Lunch In California (Free). Zucchini, Radish, Avocado Slices, Grapefruit, Apples In The Bag, And A Bean And Cheese Burrito From A Local Restaurant. The Cafeteria Is Buffet Style

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    #11

    Free Lunch In Estonia (Northern Europe), Public School For Grades 1-12

    Free Lunch In Estonia (Northern Europe), Public School For Grades 1-12

    First picture: spaghetti and potatoes, chicken, pork, vegetarian curry, turkey sauce, sweet potatoes, and roux gravy.
    Second picture: carrots, vinaigrette, Chinese cabbage, and pea salads.
    Third picture: radish and pear snacks.

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    In order for children to consume healthy meals, many institutes in the world have implemented their own universal free school meal policies. This helps to ensure that every child, especially the ones from low-income households, gets access to free nutritious food.

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    Researchers have found an association between these free meals and reduced obesity in many places including California, Chile, and South Korea, among other places. The four boroughs in London that adopted the provision showed reduced levels of obesity as per the Observer.

    #14

    Christmas Lunch In A French High School

    Christmas Lunch In A French High School

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    Jack Burton
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a special lunch to please the kids, every school do this before christmas holydays in France.

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    #15

    $3 School Lunch: North Georgia

    $3 School Lunch: North Georgia

    merc123 Report

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    BTDubs
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Judging by the use of English, i assume they're not talking about the European country.

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    A study by the Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, revealed that the policy helped parents financially and also boosted reading skills in children as they were fed and focused.

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    In the USA, California was the first state to implement a statewide free meals program in the 2022-23 school year. School districts need to serve the K-12 students meals that follow the federal guidelines. As long as they do so, California’s Department of Education reimburses them for all the expenses that are not covered by the federal reimbursements, such as the costs of reduced-price meals. In the previous school year, the state also provided $150 million for staff training and kitchen infrastructure upgrades so that the implementation could happen smoothly.

    #16

    Private School Lunch In Montreal

    Private School Lunch In Montreal

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    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    PRIVATE school is the key here. I'm sure the tuition is $$$$ so they expect nice meals.

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    #18

    School Lunch In The Texas-Mexico Border

    School Lunch In The Texas-Mexico Border

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    #19

    My High School Lunch. Clarification: This Is Orange County, CA. It's Also Free

    My High School Lunch. Clarification: This Is Orange County, CA. It's Also Free

    ItzARand0mBoi Report

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    Grace Knowlton
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    School lunches didn't look like any of these pictures when I was in school

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    #20

    Tennessee. (There Is A Pizza Under There Too)

    Tennessee. (There Is A Pizza Under There Too)

    reddit.com Report

    #21

    School Lunch In Japan. The Christmas Edition

    School Lunch In Japan. The Christmas Edition

    Hahnter Report

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    Hphizzle
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey!!! That’s near me!! Hollyhocks are our local soccer team!! (On the milk carton)

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    Since 2023-24, free school meals are permanently available for all elementary and secondary public school students in New Mexico. Their legislation now includes an additional $20 million to fund the infrastructure improvements and encourage made-from-scratch meals.

    Kendall Chavez, the governor’s food and hunger coordinator, announced that this bill is critical for “[s]upporting [New Mexico’s] local farmers, ranchers and food businesses and elevating school food as something that’s as important as the books that our kids are reading while they’re in school.”

    #22

    Lunches Served Last Week In Schools In Georgia, USA. They Are All From Different Schools

    Lunches Served Last Week In Schools In Georgia, USA. They Are All From Different Schools

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    #23

    School Lunch In England - Cost £2.95

    School Lunch In England - Cost £2.95

    anandgoyal Report

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    sbj
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The mushy peas look like they're trying to escape

    Green Tree
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just cannot do mushy peas. I tried, I really tried, but nope

    John Murphy
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    why yall still eating like a German bmber could take you out at any time?

    Andi
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    oh please a bit of presentation wouldn't hurt. food looks ok though. mushy pies - always nice with more salt and vinegar but not to everyones taste.

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    #24

    School Lunch Was Epic Today. This Is A Public School In The US

    School Lunch Was Epic Today. This Is A Public School In The US

    BlitzNinjaOfMars Report

    These school meal pictures show how geography also plays an important role in the food we consume. While some meals seem more nutritious than others, it’s great that educational institutions are now putting effort into making the lunches more healthy. What did you eat during recess in school? Share with us your favorite food from lunch break!

    #25

    Alabama Public High School Lunch

    Alabama Public High School Lunch

    reddit.com Report

    #26

    Tired Of School Lunch Slander. I Go To A Public School In Pennsylvania, It Just Has Pretty Good Food

    Tired Of School Lunch Slander. I Go To A Public School In Pennsylvania, It Just Has Pretty Good Food

    eatdafishy Report

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    Passerby
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, seeing some examples from this thread, some school lunches do deserve to be slandered and shamed.

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    #28

    USA: The Milk I Got During Lunch In High School. No, It's Not A Meat Cube

    USA: The Milk I Got During Lunch In High School. No, It's Not A Meat Cube

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    #29

    Got Served This For Lunch At School In China. Help. Food Wasn't This Bad Until Recent Administrative Changes. I Just Had To Take A Picture When I Saw This Monstrosity

    Got Served This For Lunch At School In China. Help. Food Wasn't This Bad Until Recent Administrative Changes. I Just Had To Take A Picture When I Saw This Monstrosity

    ShinyRathian Report

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    Screaming_Icecream
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omelette with clams sounds even fancy.... And then you see THIS and cannot unsee it!

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    #30

    American High School Lunch

    American High School Lunch

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    Megan Curl
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Blue cheese? Where’s the ranch? Because somehow we think ranch goes with pizza in the U.S.

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    #31

    This Wiener Soup We Had At School In Finland

    This Wiener Soup We Had At School In Finland

    tasty_hands Report

    #32

    These "Grilled" Cheese Sandwiches I’m Serving To The School Kids At Work. The Cheese Is Sticking To The Tray Like Glue. Lunch Starts At $3.75, USA

    These "Grilled" Cheese Sandwiches I’m Serving To The School Kids At Work. The Cheese Is Sticking To The Tray Like Glue. Lunch Starts At $3.75, USA

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    #34

    School Food Never Disappoints. This Is In France

    School Food Never Disappoints. This Is In France

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    #36

    My Free School Lunch, Ohio

    My Free School Lunch, Ohio

    First picture: ice cream (with sprinkles), fries, chicken tenders, garlic toast, and gravy. Second picture: mashed potato bites, chicken alfredo, and a cookie.

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    #37

    This Is What They Gave Us For Lunch. I’m A 160 Lbs Track Athlete, With Practice And Weight Training After School. This Did Little To Nothing To My Hunger Level. Glenwood Springs, Colorado

    This Is What They Gave Us For Lunch. I’m A 160 Lbs Track Athlete, With Practice And Weight Training After School. This Did Little To Nothing To My Hunger Level. Glenwood Springs, Colorado

    Toastedtoastyyy Report

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    #39

    Brazilian School Lunch. It's Coconut Milk And Some Crackers. They Actually Give Us Real Food Some Lunch Days But When There're Not Enough Kitchen Workers They End Up Having To Cut Corners

    Brazilian School Lunch. It's Coconut Milk And Some Crackers. They Actually Give Us Real Food Some Lunch Days But When There're Not Enough Kitchen Workers They End Up Having To Cut Corners

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    #40

    USA: My Mom Is A Teacher At My Former Elementary School And She Sent Me A Photo Of Her Lunch

    USA: My Mom Is A Teacher At My Former Elementary School And She Sent Me A Photo Of Her Lunch

    HomocusPocus Report

    #41

    I Paid 4,32€ For Lunch At My University In Italy

    I Paid 4,32€ For Lunch At My University In Italy

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    #42

    School Lunch In Canada

    School Lunch In Canada

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    JustAnotherPanda (she/they/he)
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don’t hate me for this…but since I am not a fizzy drink person, I prefer Pepsi for its calm fizzy and its sweetness.

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    #43

    My School Thinks This Fills Up Hungry High Schoolers. It’s American High School In Albany, New York

    My School Thinks This Fills Up Hungry High Schoolers. It’s American High School In Albany, New York

    Lunches are free for schools in my city and surrounding cities. Ever since lunches have been made free, the quantity (and quality) has decreased significantly. This is what we would get for our meal. It took me three bites to finish that chicken mac and cheese. Any snacks you want cost more money, and if you want an extra entree, that’ll cost you about $3 or $4.

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    #44

    USA: My School's "Chicken Strips"

    USA: My School's "Chicken Strips"

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    #45

    Since We Are Sharing Our School Lunches. It Was On Thanksgiving And It Cost $5

    Since We Are Sharing Our School Lunches. It Was On Thanksgiving And It Cost $5

    divsandpremium50 Report

    #46

    The American School System Calls This A Lunch. You’re Not Allowed To Pack Lunch At My School

    The American School System Calls This A Lunch. You’re Not Allowed To Pack Lunch At My School

    Jumboo-jett Report

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    OneWithRatsAndKefir
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why wouldn’t you be allowed to pack your own lunch? Genuine question, is there an actual good reason for it or is it just one of those rules that exist for the sake of being a rule?

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    #47

    The "Stuffed Potato" Lunch At My Son's High School, America

    The "Stuffed Potato" Lunch At My Son's High School, America

    kenobrien73 Report

    #48

    My Son Works At A Fairly Prestigious Charter School. This Is What They Served High School Kids For Lunch. Santa Ana, CA

    My Son Works At A Fairly Prestigious Charter School. This Is What They Served High School Kids For Lunch. Santa Ana, CA

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    #50

    School Lunch In America. That Is BBQ Chicken, Not A Chocolate-Glazed Donut. This Cost $3-4

    School Lunch In America. That Is BBQ Chicken, Not A Chocolate-Glazed Donut. This Cost $3-4

    paaunel Report

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    #51

    USA: Our School Can’t Afford Hamburgers, So They Give Us Beef Nuggets On Rolls To Save Costs

    USA: Our School Can’t Afford Hamburgers, So They Give Us Beef Nuggets On Rolls To Save Costs

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    #52

    A Lovely Cheese And Bacon Baguette From My School’s Canteen. I'm From The UK

    A Lovely Cheese And Bacon Baguette From My School’s Canteen. I'm From The UK

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    weatherwitch
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They've really over excelled themselves with the filling.. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣🤣

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    #53

    My Swedish School Tried To Make Fish N' Chips

    My Swedish School Tried To Make Fish N' Chips

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    #54

    The US School Lunch System Is Disgraceful

    The US School Lunch System Is Disgraceful

    oaz_zam246 Report

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    BoredPossum
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparently there's a huge variation. Some of these posts have great lunches too.

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    #55

    I Present My School's Breakfast “Cheese Burger,” Just Cheese And Bun. This Is In Taiwan

    I Present My School's Breakfast “Cheese Burger,” Just Cheese And Bun. This Is In Taiwan

    0ni0nchicken Report

    #56

    Actual School Lunch. High School In America

    Actual School Lunch. High School In America

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    #58

    The Best School Lunch Option Today. I Live In The US

    The Best School Lunch Option Today. I Live In The US

    hi_im_kai101 Report

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    Passerby
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If this is the best, I don't want to know what worst is.

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    #59

    This Is The "Food" We're Supposed To Eat At School In America, Massachusetts

    This Is The "Food" We're Supposed To Eat At School In America, Massachusetts

    Bored-orcaboi Report

    #60

    What My American School Considers A "Chicken Taco", Not Free

    What My American School Considers A "Chicken Taco", Not Free

    Asyiemma Report

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    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And if it's not free you have the option of brining lunch from home - which is what most kids do.

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