School lunch menu!

EJM, the kids school,  charges a 400 euro fee per trimester for each child who wants to buy lunch. When I first saw this option I thought that the kids would have enough change without being forced to try new food everyday.  Then I read the fine print that there is a 250 Euro charge if a child BRINGS his or her lunch.  Suddenly I was sure the kids would adjust.  I don't enjoy making lunches and I didn't really like the idea that I would be charged 250 Euro for the privilege.

I did a little research and while the official reason for the charge for bringing lunch is for the cost of the lunchroom space, etc. the real basis for getting away with this seems to be the enormous emphasis on the importance of the meal in French culture.  I've traveled in France several times, and loved the food, but I had the tourist's perspective.  Now as a shopper, I realize the food everywhere,  in the grocery store, restaurants, markets, and yes, school cafeteria is really, really good.   An article in the Intern. NY Times about school lunches in Italy quoted a principal: "Lunchtime is part of the school experience, its not just a moment of nutrition but one of sharing and verbal exchange." (27 January 2016, INYT "Cafeteria Crackdown in Italy")

 I was worried about Bobby, who insisted on the same lunch every single day at TES (Chicken sandwich with olives) and Amelia,  who is relatively adventurous but not much of a meat eater.  Or at least she wasn't before.   Here is the menu the first week of school.






 And to my surprise and joy, they love it,, and say, every day "it was great!"  They are however, pretty much unable to explain what they ate:  "Some kind of meat, some kind of vegetables..."  I look it up and google to figure out what it is then quiz them.   The only disappointment was the day Amelia spotted what she thought was spaghetti and reported that it turned out to be  "vegetables in vinegar" (per the menu  choucroute, or sauerkraut).  Last Wednesday, when they were home for lunch on the half day of school, Amelia said around noon "Mom, when is lunch?...  I am usually eating something delicious by now!"

The menu does not reflect the dessert variety.  They usually have about 5 choices of mousse, puddings, pies, etc.   You cannot get a desert unless you finish your entree, so occasionally my slow-eater misses out.  I'll let you guess which twin that is.

I've never had a problem with pudding but here it is a big deal and it's really really good. The amount of space dedicated to yogurt in Kroger?  Double that and it covers the puddings, creme brules and flans that come either in yoghurt containers or in pretty little glass jars.  The yougurt aisle is even bigger.   This is where I spend a lot of my day.  I wish I were kidding.  I am sure I am the joke of the store  "the lady who buys all the dessert."

Then I drive home the narrow streets worrying that it won't fit in the fridge.  Here is a picture of the inside of our refrigerator.





The top shelves are pudding, vanilla mousse and ile flottante, the middle is yogurt (coconut and rhubarb are showing).  The bottom, eggs, humus pasta and several layers of cheese.  I promise that there are veggies in the drawer and fruit on the shelf. :)



Bon Appetit!