logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2022
53m 38s

Lunch Gets Schooled (encore)

Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley
About this episode
Across the United States, school lunch is being transformed, as counties and cities partner with local farms to access fresh vegetables, as well as hire chefs to introduce tastier and more adventurous meals. This is a much-needed correction after decades of processed meals that contained little in the way of nutrition and flavor. But how did we get to trays ... Show More
Up next
Sep 8
Plant Milk Proliferation: Oat, Soy, Almond, and More, But Which Is Best?
Cow milk is out, and plant milk reigns supreme. At least, that's how it feels in the supermarket these days, where the refrigerated section is full of "milk" made from oats, almonds, peanuts, coconuts, soy, macadamia nuts, pistachios, and even peas, with new plants being milked s ... Show More
48m 52s
Aug 18
So Hot Right Now: Why We Love the Chile Pepper
Perhaps no other plant is as entwined with pain and pleasure as the chile pepper. But why does it burn—and why on earth do we crave that uncomfortable sensation? How did capsaicin's fungus-fighting, digestion-enhancing, and adrenaline-triggering powers convince early hunter gathe ... Show More
48m 24s
Aug 4
Salad Days: A Story of Science, Sexism, and Jell-O
If leafy greens and a little vinaigrette is salad, and chicken with mayo is salad, and vegetables in Jello-O are ALSO salad… What exactly is salad?! That's the big question we're tackling this episode—and it takes us down some unexpected rabbit holes. Listen in now to hear how ‘s ... Show More
44m 31s
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
The History of the School Lunch
<p>Feeding kids a healthy lunch every school day is a feat of science and logistics. Molded into shape by nutrition scientists who wanted to optimize children's health, the school lunch has endured war, economic depression, and even a global pandemic. Some might say it's all the ... Show More
49m 51s
Sep 2022
School Lunch
With school back in full swing, the mom's discuss the ins and outs of school lunches. How much has changed since they were kids in the cafeteria, and what things seem to never change? Tune-in to find out! This episode is sponsored by:MathnasiumBe sure to follow Because Mom Said S ... Show More
39m 57s
Sep 2020
Back to School!
What do kids in Japan have for lunch at school? When in history were school lunches first served? Do you like to have pizza on Fridays? It’s that time of year where kids all around the world are going back to school! No matter what school looks like for you this year, chances are ... Show More
17m 46s
Oct 2023
How Lunchables ended up on school lunch trays
<p><span style="color: rgb(29, 28, 29); background-color: transparent;">Today, “Post Reports” goes back to school, to the cafeteria, where something has changed. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Reporters Lenny Bernstein and Lauren Weber br ... Show More
49m 31s
Jan 2025
Cafeteria wars
RFK Jr. is the latest in a long line of reformers who have tried to clean up school lunch. The history of those attempts illustrates how hard it is to change the American food system. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, ... Show More
24m 51s
Feb 2021
School Food: Re-imagined
What is the current school meal model, how well is it working and how has the pandemic highlighted existing problems and created new ones?More importantly, given the very public problems that have cropped up in recent months, how can the system be improved and made more sustainab ... Show More
29m 45s
Apr 2024
432. Fueling Future Generations with Healthier School Meals
<p>On this episode of "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg," hear a special panel conversation on developing healthier meals for young eaters, featured during a recent Summit hosted by Food Tank, Emory University, and Spelman College. Panelists discuss efforts at the federal level to ... Show More
26m 2s
Feb 2023
Vegetarian school dinners
What if all schools offered only plant-based options for 3 out of 5 lunches a week? Would that be enough to trigger a broader societal shift to eating less meat, and allow us to meet our sustainability commitments?We’re not talking about making school dinners entirely vegetarian ... Show More
31m 19s
Jun 2021
The school that food built
When chef Jamie Oliver launched a campaign to improve British school meals, it inspired one headteacher to take things much further.Charlton Manor Primary School, in south London, now grows its own produce, keeps bees and chickens, and has a restaurant aiming for a Michelin star. ... Show More
36m 57s