A Global Taste: Exploring School Lunches from Around the World

School lunches aren’t just a midday meal—they show how a society cares for its kids. They reflect culture, health, and community values. Around the world, schools use lunch to teach life skills, connect kids to healthy food, and build good habits. From Japan’s focus on teamwork to Brazil’s support for local farmers, each country offers a different way to think about school meals. Looking at these examples can give U.S. schools new ideas for making lunch more than just a quick bite.

Here’s a look at how school meals are served around the world, and what we can take away for schools here in the U.S.

Japan: Balanced and Educational

In Japan, school lunch (called Kyushoku) is considered part of the school day, not a break from it. Meals are carefully planned to be nutritionally balanced, usually rice, soup, fish or meat, vegetables, and milk. Students don’t just eat together; they serve each other, set the tables, and clean up afterward. The approach turns lunch into a daily lesson in teamwork, responsibility, and respect for food.

Source: The Japan Guy

Italy: Fresh and Local

Italian school meals often resemble a Mediterranean family table: pasta or risotto, fresh vegetables, a main dish of fish or chicken, fruit, and bread. Many schools prioritize local and organic ingredients, and meals are seen as an opportunity to teach children about food quality and cultural traditions. Flavor is never sacrificed for convenience.

Source: AMI Education

France: A Culinary Education

In France, school lunches can feel like a miniature dining experience. Students typically get a starter (like salad or vegetable soup), a main dish, a side, cheese, fruit, and bread. Meals are served at the table and eaten slowly, with time built in for enjoying the food. This isn’t just about nutrition; it’s about teaching children to savor flavors and build a healthy relationship with eating.

Source: Mindbody Green Lifestyle

South Korea: Variety and Flavor

Korean school lunches are colorful, flavorful, and full of variety. A standard tray might include rice, soup, kimchi, a protein like bulgogi or fish, and several vegetable side dishes. Meals are designed to be nutrient-rich and expose students to a wide range of flavors from a young age. Sharing the same dishes also reinforces community and cultural identity.

Source: School Food in Korea 

Brazil: Community-Focused and Nutritious 

In Brazil, school meal programs are shaped by national policies that emphasize nutrition and support local farmers. A typical meal includes rice and beans, meat or poultry, vegetables, and fruit. By law, at least 30% of the food must come from local family farms, making the program both healthy for students and impactful for local economies.

Source: Huffington Post

United States: Convenience in Transition

School lunches in the U.S. vary widely from district to district, but they’ve historically leaned toward convenience with items like pizza, chicken nuggets, or sandwiches. In recent years, however, many schools are shifting toward healthier, scratch-cooked meals, incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Programs like farm-to-school and salad bars are helping kids access fresher food, but challenges remain with funding, kitchen infrastructure, and time.

Source: Reddit

What We Can Learn

Looking at school lunches around the world shows that meals can do more than just feed kids. They can teach respect, teamwork, healthy habits, and an appreciation for good food. Different countries highlight different lessons. Japan and France focus on the eating experience. Italy and Brazil emphasize fresh, local ingredients that are good for kids and the community. South Korea uses variety to make meals exciting and balanced.

For the U.S., these examples offer practical lessons. Schools could emphasize not just the nutritional content of meals, but also the experience of eating, slowing down, engaging with peers, and learning about the food on their plates. Incorporating more local produce, emphasizing seasonal ingredients, and creating opportunities for students to participate in meal preparation could further strengthen connections between food, community, and learning.

Ultimately, school meals are more than a way to satisfy hunger. They are a powerful tool for education, culture, and community building. By learning from how other countries approach school lunches, U.S. schools can continue to evolve toward meals that nourish the body, cultivate healthy habits, and teach children to appreciate food as an important part of life.