A Michelin Star School Lunch (Issue #67)
This week we’re talking food!
Hi friends!
Am I the only one who feels like school lunch is weirdly controversial? I can still perfectly recall the warm, sweet, slightly metallic smell of the lunchroom, and tbh, even writing that out makes me want to vomit. My mom, on the other hand? She loved school lunch and firmly believes she’d still enjoy it. And listen — to each their own, but also, this has got to be some kind of nostalgia trickery. But look, when I was in school, I was a certified school lunch kid, and only once in a while did I get to bring a Pizza Lunchable (with a Capri Sun 💁🏽♀️). But let’s be real: when you eat school lunch, you’re at the mercy of those feeding you.
In elementary school, every kid was handed a little carton of milk and expected to drink it (it was the early 2000s, and the dairy industry had every school and celebrity in a chokehold). And for me, that was just not gonna work. Now, I’ve always *hated* milk. It’s just never been something that I drank. And so I, of course, explained that to my teachers. After I informed them “I don’t drink milk,” life was suddenly upgraded. Those four words transported me into a world of juice with every lunch. UNTIL, one fateful day, when the staff realized I wasn’t actually allergic to milk, and I got in trouble! They thought I was being deceitful, but I’d told the truth - I don‘t. drink. milk! I never said I *couldn’t* drink milk. 🤷🏽♀️ Their willful misunderstanding had nothing to do with me!
In high school, the a la carte line was my saving grace. I began an impassioned love affair with both white cheddar popcorn and Hot Cheetos. Snacks with flavor dust on them were a tricky game, and so I ate both with a fork to prevent the powder from clinging to my hands, lmao.
As a full adult now, lunchrooms are mostly a mystery to me these days. However, with Andrew teaching 5th grade, I’m regularly updated on the revolting food “experiments” he has to confiscate from kids. He doesn't have a duty-free lunch and has to either eat with the kids or scarf a snack down during his very short prep time. Obviously, he goes the prep time route. 😂
But even with its flaws, school lunch is a vital institution. For many kids, it’s one of their most reliable sources of food, and states across the U.S. have been pushing for expanded access and funding for their own programs.
Last summer, a new Minnesota bill went into effect, providing free breakfast and lunch to all kids (thank you, Tim Walz!). And with more kids eating school lunches and more money supporting these kitchens, some schools are investing to make the food better. MPR released a feature earlier this year about Roseville Area High School, where a sample lunch menu includes jerk chicken drumsticks, curried rice, and Caribbean black beans!! I love stories like this because it really shows what’s possible when these programs are funded. Our kids don’t need to suffer through mystery meat, sloppy joes, and soggy Bosco sticks. When we prioritize programs, so much more is possible!!
So, for today’s issue, I’m recommending a whole range of things related to food. Enjoy!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
Romper: Deb Perelman Could Do This Forever by Meaghan O’Connell
This feature on cookbook author Deb Perelman was so fun to read! As someone who loves to read the write-up before a recipe, I always love learning more about the real people behind the cookbooks I have fallen in love with. Check it out!
Netflix: Unfrosted
With a star-studded cast that includes everyone from Melissa McCarthy to Hugh Grant, this satirical comedy was a fun and raucous weekend watch. Here’s the summary that hooked me: “In 1963, Kellogg's and Post, sworn cereal rivals, race to create a pastry that will change the face of breakfast forever.”
Substack: It's Time to Talk About School Lunch (Again) in
Recorded as a podcast, this Substack post is a follow-up and retrospective of the article Please Stop Romanticizing Your Child's Lunchbox.
starts by reading the article (which is phenomenal on its own) and adds reflections about readers’ reactions and how her opinions on school lunches did (and did not) change since she first wrote the piece. There are tons of great insights you won’t want to miss!
Action items to support and care for the world around us.
All for Lunch - Working with schools and donors nationwide, this organization helps fight childhood food insecurity and eliminate school lunch debt. Visit their website to learn more and donate to this critical work!
Every Kid Can Cook - An organization on a mission “to improve the mental, academic, emotional, and physical well-being of youth through culturally inclusive culinary nutrition education, leadership opportunities, and programming.” They offer tons of food education for kids, and you can learn more and donate to support their work here.
Things to try + share in the group chat.
I love Wildgrain’s subscription boxes!! They par-bake and freeze everything, so any bread, pasta, or other baked goods you get can be made in 20 minutes or less! My first box had croissants, sourdough, pasta, and even apple pie tartlets! Everything tastes so fresh, and you’d never guess it came from a freezer!
This reel is a cinematic masterpiece, documenting the emotional journey between a baby and their love of rice cakes:
Have a great weekend!
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