Types of Lunches You See in a School Cafeteria

By: Grace Litterer

Continuing with my theme, I figured I would touch on a subject many have strong opinions on. Yes, it’s school lunches. Whether you are for them, against them, or somewhere in between, every cafeteria has a few infamous school lunches.

First, I must pay homage to the day that everyone loves. No matter if you bring your lunch every day, no matter if you skip lunch every day, heck, no matter if you’re homeschooled, everyone loves pizza day. You can see kids going up for seconds or even thirds. Nothing beats the simplicity of a cheese pizza, especially when it’s served to kids in the middle of a school day. After all, stressing out about tests and grades really does make you work up an appetite.

Next, is, of course, the classic burger and fries. It really is a United States of America staple. I can’t imagine school without one day a month when the school serves out a burger and fries. Well, they serve out unsalted fries and neon yellow cheese. But, what can you do? With limited options for school lunch, there isn’t much else you can do. What’s really funny is that there is always some odd fruit or vegetable paired with it to make it healthy. Whether it’s strawberry applesauce, mixed vegetables, or some “fresh apple slices” that have been packaged for months.

Finally, the most infamous, the most dreaded (at least for me), the fish stick lunch. Yes, this is saved for a very special time in the spring. Yes, every Lenten season we are treated with a cafeteria specialty. Every spring, Fish Fridays are held. By now, I am sure you can tell that I don’t like fish. But when I say that even the Catholics don’t eat the fish, you know something may be wrong.

Yes, school cafeterias certainly have some infamous lunch options. Whether it’s pizza, burgers, fish or even the rib sandwich that deserves an honorable mention, it’s served with love (or resentment). In all seriousness though, please remember to thank your lunch ladies. They do so much for the school and for its students. They do all they can so that students can have something hot for lunch, even if it’s the fish.