A New Kind of School Lunch

Earlier this week, on a sunny Monday in October, something exciting started happening in school cafeterias across the country. The United States government announced a big change to help kids eat healthier and help our planet at the same time. This change is all about what’s on your lunch tray!

For many years, schools have served meals that follow rules to make sure they are healthy. These rules make sure you get fruits, vegetables, protein, and grains. But now, leaders in Washington, D.C., have decided to add a new, important goal: fighting climate change. Climate change is when the Earth’s weather patterns change over a long time, often making the planet warmer. One way to help is by changing the food we eat.

So, what’s the big change? Schools are being encouraged to buy more food from local farms. “Local” means the farms are close to the community, maybe even in the same state. When food doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles in trucks or planes to get to your school, it creates less pollution. Pollution from vehicles can hurt the air and add to climate change. Food from nearby is also often fresher and can support farmers in your own area.

Another part of the plan is to serve more plant-based meals. This doesn’t mean everyone has to become vegetarian! It just means there will be more delicious options that focus on foods like beans, lentils, and vegetables. Making plant-based foods can sometimes use less water and land than raising animals for meat. The plan suggests having days where the main dish is a tasty bean burrito or a veggie pasta.

This news has made a lot of people happy. Many parents and teachers think it’s a great idea to teach kids about healthy eating and taking care of the Earth. They believe that what we learn in the lunchroom is just as important as what we learn in the classroom. “It’s a win-win,” said one school principal. “Kids get nutritious food, and we all learn to be better helpers for our environment.”

Of course, changing a big system takes time. The new guidelines will be introduced slowly over the next few years. Schools will get help and recipes to make these new meals yummy and fun. The hope is that by the time you are in middle school, these healthy and Earth-friendly lunches will be a normal part of the day.

This change is a reminder that even big problems like climate change can be tackled with creative ideas. And it starts right here, with the choices we make every day—even the choice between an apple and a bag of chips.

So next time you’re in the lunch line, think about the journey your food took to get to you. That apple from a local farm might just be a small bite for you, but a big step for our planet!

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What is the main reason the government is changing school lunch rules?
A) To make lunches cheaper for schools.
B) To help kids eat healthier and help the planet.
C) To make all students become vegetarians.
D) To serve more frozen food.

2. What does “local” mean in the passage?
A) Food that is organic.
B) Food that is grown on big farms far away.
C) Food that is grown close to the community.
D) Food that is delivered by airplane.

3. According to the passage, how can buying local food help the Earth?
A) It makes the food taste sweeter.
B) It creates less pollution from transportation.
C) It means farmers can grow less food.
D) It makes lunches cost more money.

4. What is one example of a “plant-based” meal from the passage?
A) A hamburger.
B) A cheese pizza.
C) A bean burrito.
D) Chicken nuggets.

5. How will the new lunch changes be introduced?
A) All schools must change their menus next week.
B) They will be introduced slowly over the next few years.
C) Only schools in Washington, D.C., will try them.
D) Students will vote on the changes.

Vocabulary List

Government (noun): A group of people who make the rules and decisions for a country or state.
Local (adjective): In or near a particular area or community.
Pollution (noun): Harmful substances or waste that are added to the air, water, or land.
Environment (noun): The natural world around us, including the air, water, land, plants, and animals.
Nutritious (adjective): Describing food that is healthy and good for your body.

Answer Key & Analysis

Correct Answers: