Elementary School Life in Japan - School Meals

The clock strikes noon and it's time for lunch. Japan's elementary schools have their own unique style of providing school meals. Everyone takes turns helping to prepare and serve lunch. Today, these children are responsible for bringing the food and tableware from kitchen to classroom. The day's servers wear special white hats and hygienic garments. School meals are seen as a teaching opportunity. Children learn to serve food, table manners and how to eat different kinds of meals. Meals are eaten in the classroom with desks pushed together so groups of four or five pupils can dine together. The pupils on duty that day read out the menu. Before starting to eat, everyone says, an expression of thanks for the food and the people who made it. Homeroom teachers sit with their pupils and eat the same meals. The menu changes daily but usually contains a main dish, vegetables, a side dish, soup and milk. And there's normally a piece of fruit for dessert. If any food is left over, you're welcome to take a second helping. The French toast was delicious. The school lunch was delicious, so I ate a lot. I like salad and fruit the most. The kitchen at this elementary school prepares 400 lunches every day. The first priority is to ensure meals are balanced and nutritional. But they also try hard to keep varying the menus to keep the pupils interested. We use fresh ingredients that reflect what is currently in season. The menu is based on Japanese cuisine, of course. But we also often serve food from around the world to broaden the children's tastes. There are also special food-based class activities. For example, to introduce spices or teach the nutritional value of different foods. School lunch in Japan is more than a healthy meal. It forms the base for a whole range of teaching activities. And the varied menus let children experience many culinary traditions from around the world.