School Lunch Hero Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about School Lunches Around The World

School Lunch Hero Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday of May to honour those who provide lunches (and food) to millions of students across the United States. This year’s event will occur on May 5. If you anticipated tasty food and a full stomach at school, you know exactly who to credit. These include school nutrition specialists as well as cafeteria servers. Each individual responsible for ensuring that students receive nutritious food is a hero, and this day was created to show them appreciation.

The background of School Lunch Hero Day

The tradition of school lunches dates back to the eighteenth century. Count Rumford, who was born in America, escaped to Germany during the Revolutionary War. He would provide impoverished children with food and education in exchange for part-time labour. Probably one of the earliest examples of a soup kitchen, he served them barley, potatoes, sour beer, and other frugal foods.

During this time, the concept of providing free school lunches to children did not acquire much traction in the United States; however, the next century saw an influx of immigrants. Many of them could not afford even the most fundamental necessities, such as sustenance. In the 1870s, an estimated 12 percent of school-aged children in New York City were homeless, and those living in households were not better off. Child labour laws mandated that children be removed from the streets, resulting in an influx of hungry children into institutions.

This would develop into a national concern. Theorists and reformers devised strategies to aid these children. A 1903 article published in The School Journal states that “healthy school lunches were an opportunity to improve the physical vitality of the urban population.” Small-scale programmes in cities such as Boston and Philadelphia demonstrated that such programmes can have lasting benefits. With this in mind, social workers, charitable organisations, and schools formed partnerships. The school lunch was founded.

In 1946, the National School Lunch Act was passed, making school lunches mandatory. Today’s school lunches range from the traditional to the exotic, providing dynamic options to satisfy a variety of palates, flavours, and cultural preferences.
After graduating from high school, author and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka had a fortuitous encounter with his lunch lady, Jean. The fact that she still remembered him astonished him. This served as the impetus for his next book series, Lunch Lady, in which a lunch lady and her sidekick combat crime. Krosoczka invited Jean to a launch party for these graphic novels and presented her with artwork and paperbacks. He did not discover how much this meant to Jean until her funeral in 2011, several years later. His artwork was set next to her coffin. Her widow told Jarrett that although Jean did not receive much gratitude, she adored every child she ever served. Krosoczka established this day in honour of Jean in collaboration with the School Nutrition Association. The initial celebration occurred on her birthday the following year.

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5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SCHOOL LUNCHES AROUND THE WORLD

Japan — feeding students and imparting social skills

Not only do children consume, but they also cook, serve, and clean up after themselves.

Food is a constitutional privilege in Brazil.

30% of school lunch ingredients are sourced locally; local (fresh) foods include vegetable-packed frittatas served with hearty rice and beans and a slice of fruit.

France — four-course dinners

A salad, meat with vegetables, cheese and bread, and a dessert are served to children, who are encouraged to consume slowly.

Kenya — lining up for supper

The majority of schools provide lunches, which may include githeri, a common dish consisting of corn and beans cooked together, and children consume in dining halls or outdoors.

Finland — school lunches

Hot meals offer a variety of options, but a common tradition is a dish known as ‘hernekeitto,’ which consists of pea broth and pancakes topped with jam.

SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY DATES