Taste the World | National School Lunch Week

Monday – A salute to American Cuisine

• All-American Cheeseburger w/Oven Baked French Fries
• Lettuce, Sliced Tomato, Sliced Onion & Pickles
• Apple Cobbler & Choice of Milk

The phrase “All-American” began being attached to foods, athletes, and ideals that represented the best or most typical parts of American life.   By mid-century (1950s–60s), the “All-American Cheeseburger” became a patriotic shorthand — a classic, no-frills burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles — representing comfort, nostalgia, and U.S. identity.

Tuesday -A salute to Asian Cuisine

• Japanese Cherry Blossom Chicken
• Fried Rice w/WG Vegetable Egg Roll
• Oriental Vegetable w/WG Fortune Cookie w/Choice of Milk

In Japan, cherry blossoms (sakura) symbolize spring, new beginnings, and fleeting beauty. During cherry blossom season, families and friends gather under blooming trees for hanami (flower-viewing picnics), enjoying beautifully prepared foods that often include pink hues or floral garnishes. In American and school food service settings, “Japanese Cherry Blossom Chicken” has become a flavorful, student-friendly dish inspired by Japanese flavors — usually featuring a sweet and tangy glaze over grilled or baked chicken, sometimes served with rice and vegetables.

Wednesday -  A salute to Central American Cuisine

• Bean & Cheese Pupusas
• Curtido (Pickled Cabbage Slaw) & Salsa Roja (Mild sweet dipping sauce)
• Rice Pudding w/Fruit & Choice of Milk

Pupusas are a beloved traditional food from El Salvador, and they are considered the national dish of the country. Their history and name reflect both Indigenous roots and Salvadoran pride. They became a symbol of Salvadoran identity, and in 2005, the Salvadoran government declared the second Sunday of November as National Pupusa Day (Día Nacional de la Pupusa). Today, pupusas are enjoyed worldwide, especially across Central America and in the United States.

Thursday -  A Salute to Italian Cuisine

• Spaghetti & Meatballs
• Garlic Bread
• Italian Roasted Vegetables & Choice of Milk

Spaghetti and meatballs are often thought of as a classic Italian dish, but it actually originated in the United States — created by Italian immigrants who arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The dish soon became a staple in Italian-American restaurants, especially after World War II, when Italian food gained nationwide popularity. Today, spaghetti and meatballs are considered an “Italian-American classic” — not traditionally Italian, but deeply rooted in immigrant history and American food culture. It represents the blending of old-world tradition and new-world opportunity, much like the immigrant story itself.

Friday - A salute to Mexican Cuisine

• Loaded Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl
• Fiesta Beans & Tajin Fruit Salad w/Choice of Milk

Fajitas originated in Texas in the 1930s–1960s among Mexican ranch workers. Originally, “fajita” referred to the cut of beef used (skirt steak) rather than a specific dish. Workers would grill the meat over an open fire, slice it, and serve it with tortillas. Over time, fajitas expanded to include chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, with peppers and onions as common toppings. While inspired by Mexican cooking techniques and flavors, Loaded Chicken Fajita reflects Tex-Mex cuisine, which blends Mexican ingredients with American portion sizes, presentation, and toppings. It’s become a popular menu item in restaurants and school cafeterias, because it’s flavorful, colorful, and easy to serve with sides like rice, beans, or tortillas.

Please enjoy this week-long trip around the world into other Cuisines as well as local grown items also.