'Ham in [my] public school lunch is just frozen in a block of ice': 25 Strange school lunches that left students still hungry

Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor

Aug 4, 2023 5:00 PM EDT

The cafeteria chefs who cook for public school kids are doing a very important job, but the meals they serve up can sometimes miss the mark.

I want to take this opportunity to use my platform to talk about Italian dunkers. These were a top tier lunch food, and as a very picky child, it was my saving grace. These Italian dunkers were basically just mozzarella cheese sticks wrapped inside dough, but they tasted heavenly. Looking back, giving an 8-year-old four cheese sticks for lunch with a side of milk and an apple feels like an odd choice, but it kept me going. I know there's an unfortunate looking hot dog in the mix of photos here. Hot dogs were a great choice too, although I wish my school would have taken them out of the hot dog water before serving them up (making the hot dog bun quite soggy).

If you've been through the public school system, you know that the fine lunchroom staff have a limited budget to make food for hundreds or even thousands of kids. It may not always be the best food, but it is a meal, and sometimes that's what really counts. It's better to have a lunch that's just meh, rather than be falling asleep in every class because you're so hungry.

Speaking of food, this woman went to r/AmItheA**hole to ask an important question: was she wrong for telling her SIL that she dislikes her "famous" mac and cheese?

01
This "chicken burger" is a jumpscare

via u/shockwavelol
02
This person got a ham sandwich that was literally ice cold

via u/Thatoneuselessperson

"Ham in public school lunch is just frozen in a block of ice," the OP wrote.
03
This school lunch had an unpleasant surprise ingredient...maggots

via u/Competitive-Ear-6443
04
This apple juice was full of...not apples

via u/deleted
05
This person says their school is "giving up" on lunches

via u/deleted

The sad mess of watery cheese and beef chunks says it all.
06
Mystery pop tart? Cursed pizza slice? Is it meat of some sort?

via bcwill

Tell me your guesses in the comments, I'm stumped.
07
OP claims that the main item is chicken strips

via Saramme

"The 'chicken' strips taste like unbaked bread dough," the OP wrote. That is a really cool lunch tray though!
08
This lunch is awfully corny

via u/Loveinpeacex-367A
09
Does this qualify as a soup?

via u/deleted
10
This person got not just a moldy orange, but also an undercooked pizza

via u/MellyNinj
11

via LosPer
12
This is an Oliver Twist meal

via UnrealPie
13
This teen got frozen corn for lunch. A lot of it.

via u/ThatNerdTyler
14
OP writes that they got expired milk, expired apples that were turning green, and moldy chicken dumplings

via u/General_Collection20
15
These grits and eggs look like they've been 3D printed

via u/General_Collection20
16
These mashed potatoes were hard as a rock

via u/deleted
17
Such a filling lunch to get a hungry kid through the school day

via GoodLuckKnifing
18
Here's some sushi made with frozen chicken nuggets

via u/Healthy_Block3036
19
Did they exhume this burrito?

via MentallyUnstableSpider
20
Wrinkly dog

via LittleLebowskiUrbanAchievers
21
This milk looks old enough to drive

via u/Mother_Than0s
22
This is a pizza, and it could become a fine Frisbee as well

via u/Andy-Ye
23
The cafeteria chefs forgot to remove the plastic from the cheese slices

via stickalwayswins

The stench must have been unimaginable if they did this for more than one sandwich.
24
They still bit this dated sandwich with confidence

via FunkyDiabetic
25
This student got all stems, no broccoli

via u/franztheegreat