Pistes d'exploration

Compare your school lunch with that of a student in Japan or another country.

Identify the healthy components of the different lunches.

Plan a menu for a healthy lunch that you would enjoy. 

Research “food miles” and determine how far the food in your school cafeteria has travelled. Share the information with the class.

List 10 foods from your lunch box or fridge at home and find out where they come from.

Review your food list and pin labels of their countries of origin on a map.

Find out what food is grown, produced and/or manufactured in your area. 

Research the 100 mile diet. What are the advantages and disadvantages? What do you eat that fits the criteria? Present your findings.

List foods you usually eat for lunch at school, and categorize these foods as a class, based on their country of origin.

Focus on the facts regarding food in Canada. Comment on how you feel about each fact. Discuss these first in teams, then with the class.

Research typical school lunches in another country to create an additional section for the book.

Write a letter to your local political representative asking them to support healthy food and local procurement policies in schools.

Mots-clés

Non-fiction , around the world , eating habits , economic disparity , food , illustrations (photographs) , school life , social justice

Commentaire descriptif

In this impressive book, healthy food, food justice and activism, global trends and cultural differences are all addressed through the edifying lens of school lunches. Double-page spreads focus on a particular school, their lunchtime meal and accompanying traditions. Students will learn that in flood-prone Singra, Bangladesh, a school-boat tows a floating garden of fresh produce that’s tended by parents. In Nantes, France, the school serves children four-course lunches, including a cheese course. Fascinating facts are delivered in fairly dense yet straightforward language. The organization allows for students to read one, several or all of the segments. Fabulous food photography is labelled and captioned, with detailed explanations of the food items, their taste and sources. Colourful spot illustrations offer further context. The spreads include stories of both good and insufficient nutrition—of creative solutions and situations requiring change. Both the text and the images transmit general cultural information as well. The whole concept provides opportunities for student discussion and research on myriad topics—from the globalization of food trends to making healthier choices for their own lunches. An introduction and back material (including a glossary) expand on the themes of this important and useful book.