A Trip Through School Lunch History

🍔In the 1910s, school lunches were simple and free, consisting of white bread, split pea soup, and rice.

🍕The 1960s saw the introduction of processed foods in school lunches, such as pizza and salad with Italian dressing.

🥪In the 1920s, the focus of school lunches shifted to hot meals, including a grilled cheese sandwich, veggies, and milk.

🥦During the Great Depression in the 1930s, school lunches consisted of a piece of bread with peanut butter and a cup of vegetable broth.

🍔In the 1950s, school lunches featured homecooked meals like meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

How much did school lunches cost in the 1920s?

—In the 1920s, school lunches cost 5 cents.

What was the average cost of a carton of milk in the 1960s?

—In the 1960s, a carton of milk at school would cost 25 cents.

Did they have ketchup in school lunches in the 1920s?

—Yes, ketchup was developed in 1812, so it was available during that time.

Why did school lunches include double bread in the 1920s?

—The double bread in school lunches provided extra carbs for students who often engaged in physically demanding activities, such as farming.

What was the most popular meal in the 1960s school lunches?

—Pizza was a popular and new addition to school lunches in the 1960s.

00:00Join us as we take a journey through the history of school lunches, from the humble beginnings in the 1910s to the processed foods of the 1960s.

02:20In the 1910s, school lunches were simple and free, consisting of white bread, split pea soup, and rice.

04:20In the 1920s, the focus of school lunches shifted to hot meals, including a grilled cheese sandwich, veggies, and milk.

06:20During the Great Depression in the 1930s, school lunches consisted of a piece of bread with peanut butter and a cup of vegetable broth.

09:20In the 1950s, school lunches featured homecooked meals like meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

12:20In the 1960s, processed foods like pizza and salad became popular in school lunches.