The school dinner has always been regarded as a little gross. The days of warm wilting sandwiches, thick slabs of jam roly-poly and lumpy gravy are long gone. School dinners are a tradition that dates back to 1906, when the School Meals Act was first implemented. Since 1906, many generations have grown up with a menu that has changed over the years.
Jamie Oliver began a major campaign in 2005 to reinvent the school dinner. Our taste buds seemed to be bored and our waistlines were expanding. The dry turkey twizzlers were replaced by tantalising wraps with coconut fish. The demand was for healthier options, as well as an improvement in taste and quality. School meals are now healthier than ever, with an emphasis on organic fruits and vegetables, whole grain options, and more fruit in desserts. Schools should advertise their impressive healthy options on their websites. For Websites for schools, visit FSE Design, suppliers of Websites for schools.
In 1906, the school lunch was a simple affair. It would have consisted of oatmeal porridge, treacle and bread, all washed down by water or milk. It was still a milestone, no matter how simple the food may sound today. It was the first in British history where each child attending school received a warm meal. Between 1910 and the beginning of World War II, the school dinner menu expanded to include delicious treats like mutton stew or toad in the hole. Many fondly remember the treacle pudding, which was introduced in this time period.
Rationing was a part of everyday life during the Second World War and lasted until the 1950s. You would have no doubt eaten a lot of spam if you attended school between 1940 and 60. Along with the spam, mashed potatoes were served.
The school lunch menu expanded between 1960 and 1970. In the swinging 60s, there were many delights like Fray Bentos pies, fish and chips and liver and mash. Whale meat was also introduced! Sweet toothed people also had more to enjoy with desserts such as custard with cake and pink icing. Lemon curd pie and cream and rice pudding with jam!
In the 1980s themed lunch boxes were all the rage. It is possible that by the 80s more children chose to bring packed lunches with them to school. Themes included Disney characters, TV shows and other toys. In the 1990s, there were not many changes in school dinners. It was possible that the school dinner menus had become a little boring. The popularity of packed lunches was on the rise. For example, a typical packed lunch could have included a wagon wheel, an apple or yoghurt, as well as some Dairylea triangles.