Bag Lunch: What's to Eat in the Global School Cafeteria

School meals from around the world.

by Edutopia Staff

Health: Lunches from Around the World

United States:

Turkey dogs, Tater Tots, broccoli and cauliflower with dip, and milk.

Credit: CometPhoto.com


Photographer Renee Comet and stylist Lisa Cherkasky, working with a National Geographic photo editor, assembled typical school lunches from three countries -- the United States, Russia, and Japan -- to capture with a digital camera culinary differences across cultures. Dietary awareness, especially in American school districts fighting childhood obesity, has caused these archetypal menus to evolve somewhat; however, according to these researchers, the meals shown here represent the current iconic school-cafeteria fare. "For me, everything revolves around food," the photographer added. "I would be so unhappy with turkey dogs and Tater Tots!"

Health: Lunches from Around the World

Japan:

Wonton miso soup, spinach and chinese cabbage in almond paste, natto (fermented soybeans), rice, and milk.

Credit: CometPhoto.com
Health: Lunches from Around the World

Russia:

Borscht (beet soup), beef cutlet, buckwheat, rye bread, and apple kissel (a juice drink).

Credit: CometPhoto.com

This article was also published in Edutopia Magazine, February 2008


I work in an elementary

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 29, 2008 - 09:24.

I work in an elementary school in Hackensack, NJ. The turkey dog menu pictured in the article is leagues beyond what we feed our kids on a daily basis. Both the overall and nutritional quality of the meals I see in a public school everyday makes me wonder about the value we really place in American children.

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