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How to Celebrate National School Lunch Week 2025

By Abigail El-Richani

National School Lunch Week 2025 is taking off October 13-17 with the exciting theme: “Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport!”

School lunch poster with food illustrations, a blue passport, and text: "Every tray is a passport to flavor!" National School Lunch Week.

This year’s celebration invites students to explore new flavors from around the globe, learn about different cultures, and appreciate the nutritious meals served in their cafeterias each day.


Create Cafeteria “Passports”

Give each student a paper “passport” they can decorate and get stamped each day when they try a new global meal. By the end of the week, students can see how many countries they “visited” through school lunches! Offer small prizes or certificates to those who complete their passports, it’s a fun way to encourage adventurous eating and participation.

















Feature a Meal from a Different Country Each Day

Turn your lunch menu into a mini world tour. Try something like:

  • Monday → Italy – Whole-Grain Alfredo or Lasagna Rolls with Roasted Vegetables

  • Tuesday → Mexico – Chicken or Beef Tacos with Fresh Mango Salsa

  • Wednesday → Japan – Teriyaki Chicken with Brown Rice

  • Thursday → Greece – Gyro Wraps with Homemade Tzatziki

  • Friday → USA - Classic BBQ Chicken with Cornbread

Add fun facts or phrases about each country’s food, culture, or popular ingredients on the menu to spark curiosity and conversation.


Decorate the Cafeteria with Global Flair

Transform your cafeteria into an “international airport” for the week!

  • Hang flags from the countries featured on the menu.

  • Label food stations as “destinations.”

  • Encourage classrooms to “adopt” a country and create themed decorations or signs to display in the cafeteria or hallways.

The visual excitement helps students feel like they’re truly traveling the world through food.


Play Music from Around the World

Set the tone for the day by playing music from each featured country during class changes or lunchtime. Whether it’s upbeat mariachi, smooth jazz, or rhythmic Greek folk music, the sounds will bring each day’s destination to life.


Wrap Up National School Lunch Week 2025 with Reflection

By the end of National School Lunch Week, students will have a completed passport to take home and share with their families, along with a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures and cuisines. This celebration not only promotes healthy eating but also builds curiosity, community, and cultural understanding - one bite at a time.

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