When I was in school, I never minded the hot lunches that were served. Grade School, Ellen Stiles, had the best pizza but the grilled cheese sandwiches were like hockey pucks. In Middle School we had to bring out lunches because no hot lunches were offered. For High School, I went to Auburn and they were decent as well, I loved their tacos, which was always a two lunch day but the spaghetti was my least favorite.

One thing that stands out is the choices kids have today in school for lunch, we had three choices, hot lunch, bring your own, or go hungry.

In the 1970s schools stood out from other periods and their cafeteria kitchens showcased this difference. During the 1970s students found hot lunches to be both their daily routine and a reflection of popular food culture.

Canva
Canva
loading...
WROK 1440 AM / 96.1 FM logo
Get our free mobile app

The Menu

Teenagers in 1970s high schools received hearty basic meals that sustained their energy during school hours. Students got basic meals that included meatloaf Salisbury steak spaghetti with meat sauce and fried chicken. Students ate their main dishes with mashed potatoes and sides of green beans and corn. Desserts included canned fruit or gelatin. The 1970s saw the introduction of pizza as a menu option for students in American schools. They offered thick dough slices topped sparingly.

Nutritional Perspective

Nutritional priorities in the 1970s did not align with current standards. The meals contained high amounts of carbohydrates and protein but did not include a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables which current school lunch programs emphasize. When the National School Lunch Program began in the 1940s it sought to deliver balanced meals while nutritional education and meal variety continued to develop.

Canva
Canva
loading...

 

The Experience

Lunchrooms were buzzing hubs of activity. Students eagerly lined up for their metal trays as the smell of food permeated the air during the daily unveiling of the menu. Cafeteria ladies wearing their sharp white uniforms distributed food portions quickly and skillfully. Students found great value in communal lunch settings because they used this time to connect with friends and exchange stories while creating lasting memories together.

Canva
Canva
loading...

Cultural Reflections

The menus at school lunches demonstrated wider trends occurring in society. School lunch menus began to include convenience foods like fish sticks and chicken nuggets as these household favorites became popular. Economic changes during this time affected both the price and quality of ingredients used in school lunch programs.

Legacy

Individuals who experienced the 1970s remember hot school lunches fondly as a nostalgic memory. The cafeteria served as the heart of high school life in those simpler times. Nutrition standards have improved since then but the core value of the communal meal as a time for both nourishment and social connection remains a beloved tradition.

ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES WE TOOK IN THE 1970S!

Sticky Rice Bites

Gallery Credit: Dave Alan

More From WROK 1440 AM / 96.1 FM