[VIDEO] Check Out How School Lunches Are Composed Around the World

School lunches are a subject of considerable frustration and controversy in the United States right now. On the one hand, the government is working to create a school lunch program that is healthier and more nutritious; on the other hand, in some areas poor funding and poor execution have created a perfect storm of bland and unsatisfying meals that leave kids heading for the vending machine for junk food instead. As school meal sales decline, that has a negative ripple effect on everyone from schools to the businesses like Beef Products Inc. and ConAgra that supply schools with their entrees.

One common argument is that children are simply not willing to eat healthier foods, far preferring the french fries and pizzas that they have always been served. To a degree, of course that’s true: given the choice, most children (and even many adults) will always reach for the satisfaction of salt, fat, and sugar. But this video produced by BuzzFeed, which highlights common school lunches served around the world, shows that it is certainly possible to successfully serve children some diverse and creative meals.

In addition to finding healthier whole grain and reduced fat workarounds for cultural favorites like pizza and chicken nuggets, it could be worth it for big school lunch program cafeteria product manufacturers to take a close look at some of the more successful school lunches around the world, taking some cues and inspiration to find new ways to make United States school lunches healthful, diverse, and most importantly delicious.