School lunch is an important part of the students' day. It provides a much-needed break from the classroom and an opportunity to refuel. However, the quality and variety of the menu can vary greatly depending on which part of the globe we look at.

Some schools, for example, have been trying to improve the nutritional value of their lunches by adding more fruits and veggies, reducing the amount of processed foods, and offering options for eaters with dietary restrictions. These efforts can help to ensure that students are getting what they need to stay active and focused.

On the other hand, some schools still serve meals that are high in fat, sugar, and sodium, which can contribute to obesity and other health problems.

So to see who is on the right track and who is lagging, we at Bored Panda decided to expand on our previous publication on school lunches from around the world and put together a new collection of pictures that vividly illustrate the situation, courtesy of the subreddit r/pics. Enjoy!

One of the hottest pictures on this list comes from Stockholm, Sweden. The Redditor who posted it, Cool_Kalkon, told Bored Panda that their school usually serves different types of stews, complementing it with chicken or beef, but there are vegetarian options, too.

"The quality [of our lunch] is really good considering the budget they have," Cool_Kalkon explained to us. "The food is always healthy and mostly cooked from raw ingredients in school. They even got a vegetarian alternative every day, and a salad bar."

#2

An Example Of A Swedish (Free) School Lunch. Fried Salmon, Fried Potatoes In Herbs, Honey Roasted Vegetables With Chèvre

An Example Of A Swedish (Free) School Lunch. Fried Salmon, Fried Potatoes In Herbs, Honey Roasted Vegetables With Chèvre

Svenmpa Report

Fluffy mommy panda
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn that a lot compared the last few I've seen. Why can't American treat kids better it such b******t

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#3

Chilbo High School Lunch (Free - South Korea)

Chilbo High School Lunch (Free - South Korea)

inlgyment Report

Cool_Kalkon said they don't know how the lunches could be improved because they're satisfied with the food. But if they were to come up with something, they would probably "cut down on the number of stews and have a bit more variety in the menu."

However, the Redditor pointed out that their picture doesn't represent the whole country of Sweden. "There are schools with much worse food, and also schools with much better," they said. "But, all in all, I think it's fantastic that we are able to get a healthy meal on our plate every day without having to pay."

#4

My Korean School Lunch! Pork Cutlet, Blood Sausage Soup, And Assorted Banchan

My Korean School Lunch! Pork Cutlet, Blood Sausage Soup, And Assorted Banchan

darkrealm190 Report

#5

Pics From Some Schools In Korea Known For Having Best School Lunches

Pics From Some Schools In Korea Known For Having Best School Lunches

bvmmi1le Report

#6

$3 School Lunch: North Georgia

$3 School Lunch: North Georgia

merc123 Report

Turning to the other side of the globe, we have another Redditor, Sjbfujcfjm, representing the city of Takatsuki in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

Their picture reveals what the country's younger kids (2-6 years old) are having. A staff member at White Rose Kindergarten, Sjbfujcfjm told Bored Panda that, "Daily lunches usually consist of a portion of meat (fish being a popular option), a vegetable, rice, soup and something sweet like an apple or orange slice or fruit jelly."

#7

My Korean School Lunch!! Free For All Students

My Korean School Lunch!! Free For All Students

darkrealm190 Report

#8

School Lunch In California (Free)

School Lunch In California (Free)

bestoblivion Report

Mani Lacao
Community Member
4 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like how NYC and California have very different takes on children nutrition

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#9

School Lunch In South Korea

School Lunch In South Korea

ipresnel Report

"The quality is quite good," the Redditor added. "All of the teachers have the option to eat the school lunch, and we do each day. We have a chef and his crew of 4-5 come in daily to prepare the meals. A few times a month they prepare a special lunch featuring foods from a specific region of Japan."

However, they would like to see more meals featuring food from other countries. "We sometimes have dishes or sides from China or Korea. But I'd like to see a wider variety," Sjbfujcfjm said.

#10

School Lunch Oregon ~free

School Lunch Oregon ~free

Moist-Intention844 Report

#11

Looks Like School Lunches Are Making The Rounds Here Again: United States, Public Middle School

Looks Like School Lunches Are Making The Rounds Here Again: United States, Public Middle School

bibliophile222 Report

RandomHumanBean
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

not where i live (maryland usa), that actually looks nutritious

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#12

Typical School Lunch In South Korea

Typical School Lunch In South Korea

seacobs Report

#13

New York City School Lunch

New York City School Lunch

BrighterGreen Report

Random Stuff
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is the best school lunch from the US I've seen in this list so far

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To contextualize these pictures, we can take a look at the 2021 study by the Global Child Nutrition Foundation that looked into the "food basket" — a fundamental element of any school meal program — of 139 countries.

Grains/cereals were the most common food category (served in 87% of programs), followed by oil (78%) and legumes (75%). Fruits and vegetables (63-65%) were less common, and animal-source foods were served least often—though there was a high degree of variation across income groups. Poultry, for example, was served in 69% of programs in high-income settings but just 5% of programs in low-income settings.

#14

School Lunch From My Country. Where Am I? What Do Kids Eat Where You Are?

School Lunch From My Country. Where Am I? What Do Kids Eat Where You Are?

Phylanara Report

#15

School Lunch In Thailand, 25 Baht. About .75 USD

School Lunch In Thailand, 25 Baht. About .75 USD

PinkKnapsack Report

#16

School Lunch At A Kindergarten In Japan (Bonus Bentos)

School Lunch At A Kindergarten In Japan (Bonus Bentos)

sjbfujcfjm Report

#17

School Lunch For Elementary Kids In Korea

School Lunch For Elementary Kids In Korea

asiawide Report

The gap was even larger for fruits, which were served in 97% and 22.5% of programs in high- and low-income settings, respectively—a difference of 74.5 percentage points.

In high-income settings, children received an average of 8.3 different food categories, while this value dropped to 7.1, 6.5, and 5.2 in upper middle-income, lower middle-income, and low-income settings, respectively. Across regions, this value was greatest in South Asia/East Asia/Pacific and least in Sub-Saharan Africa.

#18

My Korean School Lunch (That Students Get For Free)! Beef Noodle Soup And Various Banchan!

My Korean School Lunch (That Students Get For Free)! Beef Noodle Soup And Various Banchan!

darkrealm190 Report

#19

School Lunch In Japan. The Christmas Edition

School Lunch In Japan. The Christmas Edition

Hahnter Report

Aaron Jimenez
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

International school food puts US food to shame by such a large amount its not even funny

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#20

I See Your School Lunch And I Raise You A Dinner On A Us Navy Ship

I See Your School Lunch And I Raise You A Dinner On A Us Navy Ship

koolturkey Report

Pixie
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one looks pitiful! Especially since it's being served to adults who are serving our country!

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#21

School Lunch In Denmark

School Lunch In Denmark

SpoochDK Report

Across all regions and income groups, market purchases were the most common method through which school meal programs procured food.

These purchases primarily occurred in domestic markets, though 38% of programs purchased at least some food from foreign countries. In-kind contributions from foreign and domestic settings were much less common at 23% and 21%, respectively, and were primarily reported by programs operating in low-income and lower-middle income countries.

#22

Free School Lunch UK

Free School Lunch UK

GDTango Report

Cecilia Bragg
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's been 40 yrs since I had a school lunch but I'm tickled to see the sponge cake and custard hasn't changed 😀

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#23

Chinese Elementary/Primary School Lunches

Chinese Elementary/Primary School Lunches

iwazaruu Report

#24

School Lunch In Okayama Prefecture, Japan

School Lunch In Okayama Prefecture, Japan

seacobs Report

Zephyr343
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They take pride in the plating and appearance. Ours got slapped on the tray with as much precision as a blind archer.

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#25

Australian School Lunch

Australian School Lunch

mannyrmz123 Report

John Ewin
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is not what Australians do. I am Australian and have never seen a school lunch like that

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Because of this, after inflation popped in 2022 to a level unseen in decades, many of the schools are now forced to spend way more to feed their students.

In the US, for example, the price of a meal at elementary and secondary schools spiked by a whopping 305%.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine created an energy supply shock, contributing to higher transport costs to deliver food from farm to table. That combined with other factors such as higher labor costs underpin fast-rising prices throughout the food complex.

#26

My Korean School Lunch! Handmade Duck Steaks, Beef And Radish Soup, And Assorted Banchan

My Korean School Lunch! Handmade Duck Steaks, Beef And Radish Soup, And Assorted Banchan

darkrealm190 Report

thatlesbiantacocat
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is Banchan? (I'm stupid, must be the school lunch my school serves)

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See Also on Bored Panda
#27

So This Is What An Average School Lunch Looks Like For High Schoolers In Germany

So This Is What An Average School Lunch Looks Like For High Schoolers In Germany

ScoochMagooch Report

#28

What A Week Of (Free) School Lunches Look Like In Thailand [oc]

What A Week Of (Free) School Lunches Look Like In Thailand [oc]

UnlikelyFix Report

#29

I See Your Finnish School Lunch And Raise You My South Korean School Lunch

I See Your Finnish School Lunch And Raise You My South Korean School Lunch

JingleJohnJacob Report

The industry is really interdependent too. For instance, global shocks in major markets for vegetable oil — a key ingredient in margarine — drove margarine prices up by 43.8% in 2022.

Prices for commodities such as soybean, palm, sunflower, and rapeseed (also known as canola) oil tend to move together — meaning a supply disruption for one tends to affect the whole group.

Hopefully, everything gets better in the near future.

#30

Typical School Lunch In South Korea

Typical School Lunch In South Korea

reddit.com Report

Random Stuff
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like South Korea really does have the best school lunches on this list. Good work South Korea!

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#31

School Lunch In America Since We’re Posting School Lunches

School Lunch In America Since We’re Posting School Lunches

saphiresgirl Report

Peryton
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is ultra depressing compared to Asian lunches

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#32

Have Seen A Few Of These Today, Here Is My American School Lunch

Have Seen A Few Of These Today, Here Is My American School Lunch

SURTUPPETS Report

Edda Kamphues
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a significant lack of colour. Vegetables and fruit provide colour. This is a deep fried mess with some even messier mash and some corn for good measure.

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#33

Vermont School Lunch

Vermont School Lunch

veggycat Report

#34

Elementary School Lunch Japan

Elementary School Lunch Japan

AJEDIWITHNONAME Report

#35

School Lunch: Pork Roll Egg N Cheese, Potataos, Lima Beans, Mozzarella Salad, Zeppoles. All For $3

School Lunch: Pork Roll Egg N Cheese, Potataos, Lima Beans, Mozzarella Salad, Zeppoles. All For $3

eddiedickson Report

#36

Lunch + Breakfast At My School. (Seasia-- Seriously, Wtf Is Going Wrong With American School Lunch)

Lunch + Breakfast At My School. (Seasia-- Seriously, Wtf Is Going Wrong With American School Lunch)

voidmusik Report

Milo Hi
Community Member
4 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the mid north ish part of the country, the lunches are actually really good, we get to pick from 3 meals (public middle school)

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#37

Now, If You Had This For School Lunch, It Was A Peak Lunch Day

Now, If You Had This For School Lunch, It Was A Peak Lunch Day

barista91 Report

Sonja
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like pizza with pet kibbles on it O.o

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#38

Elementary School Lunch In South Korea

Elementary School Lunch In South Korea

Seanathon23 Report

BoredFox
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ARE YOU KIDDING ME YOU GET A WHOLE PACKET OF GUMMIES ALL TO YOUR SELF??? I'M COMING FOR THIS SCHOOL

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#40

This Is A Local School Lunch That A School In The Us Served

This Is A Local School Lunch That A School In The Us Served

Bank_Gothic Report

#41

NYC Middle School Lunch

NYC Middle School Lunch

geo9k Report

#42

A Single Cauliflower In A Single Use Plastic Wrap From A School Lunch

A Single Cauliflower In A Single Use Plastic Wrap From A School Lunch

McNoobens Report

#43

I See Your Korean Private School Lunches And Give You Maryland Public School Lunch

I See Your Korean Private School Lunches And Give You Maryland Public School Lunch

Trhodes009 Report

RandomHumanBean
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES! thats the kinda stuff i have to eat every day (maryland too)

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#45

Saw Someone Post Their School Lunch So I Thought I’d Share Mine… Nc United States

Saw Someone Post Their School Lunch So I Thought I’d Share Mine… Nc United States

RaidenFanClub Report

#46

Are We Still Doing School Lunches?

Are We Still Doing School Lunches?

ilovemycat2018 Report

Lil Potato
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

guys stop with the murder of potatoes, please I'm begging you

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#47

School Lunches Today. Middle School & High School-Frisco, Texas

School Lunches Today. Middle School & High School-Frisco, Texas

reddit.com Report

#48

School Lunch, Free In California (Not Pictured, A Red Apple)

School Lunch, Free In California (Not Pictured, A Red Apple)

ballerscholar Report

Glen Ellyn
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is that?? Ick! Oh, wait. I see ketchup, so at least a "vegetable" was included. 🙄

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#49

My School Lunch [oc]

My School Lunch [oc]

undertaler64 Report

#50

School Lunch At My Middle School (It Was Bad)

School Lunch At My Middle School (It Was Bad)

Minimizing_merchant Report

Note: this post originally had 97 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.