Несъедобные обеды американских школьников

[peacetraveler22]

At my school, there was no cafeteria. Each morning, my mom awoke early and packed lunch for my sister and me. It grew monotonous, eating the same sandwiches and fruit each day. Secretly, I dreamed of being like my friends who went to public schools, lining up each day to have some old woman with a net around her hair throw slop on my plate. In the U.S., there's constant debate over what school children are fed in the cafeteria. A lot of schools have removed snack and soda machines, and guidelines about nutritional values for school meals are always shifting. Over the weekend, I looked at the menu from my nephew's elementary school, listing the meal choices for each day in the month of May. Common choices include pizza, tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken nuggets and pastas, all served with some type of vegetable and potatoes or rice. There's always one healthy option like grilled chicken or fish, and a wide-variety of fresh fruit is available for purchase. Yet only the most disciplined of children would pick such options when there are tastier and more indulgent choices placed in front of them each day. All of this creates a very sad picture on the white tray. I grew curious, and began to read about school lunches around the globe, and here's what I discovered!

Look at the culinary delights thrown on these plates from Brazil, Greece and France. The Greek dish looks especially appetizing to me, while the plate from Ukraine has the same sad and pathetic appearance as the USA lunch, filled with greasy sausages, potatoes, cabbage, borscht and a pancake.


If the topic is of interest to readers, I can take my camera and join my nephew for lunch one day to explain more about what school kids in the USA eat. Of course, many parents still pack lunches for their children, so they aren't forced to eat this cafeteria slop each day. However, I think there's some level of excitement for most young kids to go through the cafeteria line each day, pick from a choice of foods, and create their own meals. It's a rite of passage for almost all American school children.

What did you eat during your school days? Cafeteria food, or homemade lunches? I have no idea what Russian children are served in cafeterias or dining halls, because I've never once visited a school there. Has it changed a lot from the Soviet era? What happens if the family has no money to pay for a child's lunch, does the Russian government subsidize it?

Comments

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't think we have hot tea to drink in American schools, only iced-tea. And, home-made meals are almost always better than eating out (even in schools!). I just felt like I was missing out on something as a child by not having a cafeteria in my school, even if they food tasted bad! :) I suppose we always want what we cannot have.

[vad-guryev.livejournal.com]

In it difference. In one case, it is an initiative of one person, in other a state rules.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

What kind of violations? Rotten food, or some violations in the way it was cooked?

[anfishka.livejournal.com]

фу(

[kremlin-curant.livejournal.com]

Just came back. Yes, you're right. So delicious food in there, I even ate 3 times, in spite I usually omiss dinner.

[sasshyna.livejournal.com]

ого как

[choowagov.livejournal.com]

Инстаграм школьника со столовской едой, очень наглядно: https://instagram.com/igor_kgv

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

All school children in Russia only attend classes for 4 - 5 hours!?! In America, it's much, much longer. The school day is usually from 6 - 7 hours. Plus, they have to get up very, very early to catch the bus. In winter, it is sometimes dark and kids are standing outside, waiting for the bus.

[kremlin-curant.livejournal.com]

Olginskie? I think they tout Putin, not the Sovok.

[klister-us.livejournal.com]

отличненько..

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, all traditional Russian food. :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

In which city?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Did you like the cruise and towns?

[tessa-vens.livejournal.com]

в америке вообще не едят суп, насколько я знаю

[tessa-vens.livejournal.com]

Саратов

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"I remember there were long lines and elder boys pulled younger student out and took their place..." This happens in all schools! Bullies try to rule the halls and cafeteria. Nightmares of childhood.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Even now, I sometimes eat dessert first. :) This is the best part of the meal, but I try to avoid such tasty sweets. Sometimes I fail.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It looks like most school meals are served on these white trays, regardless of the country. However, some friends sent me photos of their Russian school meals, and they were served on plates.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

All the food looks the same, and the meat looks very gross to me!! But cool Instagram page. :) I will follow this kid now.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Which country do you want to eat? :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Can you buy buckwheat in U.S. grocery stores? I've never looked for it because I don't like this food.

[iiiko.livejournal.com]

Конфеты, торты, пирожное я люблю. Very very much. Но очень часто сладости в детстве были в качестве бонуса. Нам в детстве всё время говорили, что сладости - это очень вредно. Вредно для зубов в первую очередь. Ерунда всё это! В итоге и конфет в детстве не поел, и зубов почти не осталось :((((
Как на userpic)))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

We eat a lot of soup!

[tessa-vens.livejournal.com]

О! А какие самые популярные?)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Do you wear false teeth now? In the U.S., we call them "dentures."