School meals around the world

United States A school meal in the US usually consists of ultra-processed food that includes mac and cheese, pizza, hamburgers, cold drink

Finland Finland was the first country in the world to start offering free school lunches to all in 1943. A typical school lunch includes fish, lean meat, a vegetable side dish, mixed grains and oil based salad dressing.

Sweden In Sweden, free meals are offered to all children ages 7-16 years. According to the Swedish Food Agency, lunch comprises a warm meal, a salad buffet, a piece of bread, and milk or water to drink.

Sri Lanka School meal usually include the core components of rice, vegetables, protein and fruit with chicken being popular, and fresh or dried fish being offered at schools located near the coastline.

Brazil A typical meal features rice and beans, some variety of protein (usually chicken, beef, pork, egg, or fish), vegetables and fruit. 

Japan A Japanese school lunch usually features grilled salmon and sesame seeds, a fried egg on white rice, vegetables, and a small portion of apples and blackberries

France In France, a lunchtime meal should include four or five parts, featuring: a starter, a protein-based dish, side dish, dairy product, and/or dessert.

Italy The guidelines state that a daily school lunch plate should feature one portion of fruit and vegetables, one portion of cereals like pasta, rice, barley, or polenta, one portion of bread, legumes once or twice a week, meat and fish one to two times a week, an egg once a week, cheese once a week, and cold cuts twice a month.

Germany The development of school meals in Germany is the responsibility of its 16 federal states.  Lunch can feature wholemeal products, potatoes, parboiled or brown rice, vegetables, legumes, or salad, unsweetened fresh or frozen fruit, unsalted nuts, milk, plain yoghurt, buttermilk, sour milk, kefir, and lean meats such as chicken, turkey

Canada Canada’s 2019 Food Guide snapshot, which promotes having half a plate full of fruits and vegetables, while a quarter of the plate should include proteins like lean meats, eggs, nuts, fish, tofu and pulses, and the other quarter should be filled with wholegrain foods.
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