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The majority of kids in the 1900s went home for lunch or would buy food from local vendors for a penny. In some communities kids would bring food from home or teachers would bring food for a large stew for the kids to share

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By this time most schools had help from volunteer organizations. Although, the kids didnt get much for their 3 cents. The offerings were often made from cheap ingredients and were served pea soup, lentils, beans or bread.

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Hot lunches became incredibly popular this decade with the vast majority of kids having hot stews, boiled meat, and creamed veggies during lunch. Some parents had worried that these lunches were not nutritious. Schools decided to teach girls to cook healthy meals and serve them during lunch.

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Once the Great Depression was over, farmers were in financial ruins and couldn't find work so the federal government bought the extra crops and food to supply schools. As a result schools began serving a lot more pork, butter, beef etc. Health advocates still pushed for balanced meals, some New York schools served up apples, bananas, and peanut butter sandwiches. The US Dept. of Agriculture once recommended peanut butter and salad dressing sandwiches to fill up kids.

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During World War II funding and worker availability dropped so lots of kids were left starved. Most kids ate liver loaf, bread,milk, green beans and corn for lunch

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In addition to traditional hot lunches, schools began serving cold lunches which included a variety of sandwiches, cottage cheese, pork and apple salads, tomato wedges, and ice cream.  School lunches had become a $415 million business

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By this time foods like pizza, enchiladas, and chili con carne, made their way onto school menus. Favorites like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and fish sticks with tartar sauce were also dished.

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This year schools were impressed with the popularity of  McDonalds and other fast food chains, so they imitated them and served fried chicken, burgers, fries and more. Vending machines were eventually brought in with chips.

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In 1981 the federal government made the news after classifing ketchup as a veggie.  Processed foods like chicken nuggets, cheeseburgers, and pizza slices were always on the menu, along with chocolate pudding, Jell-O.

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In the 1990s schools accepted fast food chains into the cafeterias. Federal government standards allowed McDonald’s, Little Caesar’s, Chick-fil-A, and others. It was a win for both sides because the fast food chains reached young consumers and the schools had more funding.

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Obesity rates were on the rise so as a result schools started serving healthier foods like apples, milk, baked chips, and grilled chicken

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In 2010, President Obama signed the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which led to healthy foods being back in schools. Cafeterias served salads, wraps, healthier fruits and veggies.