“Taste Around the World” Turns National School Lunch Week into a Passport to Flavor at Wallace Elementary-Middle Bennettsville, SC – Wallace Elementary-Middle School didn’t just observe National
School Lunch Week—it took off! With cafeteria doors as a customs gate and menu
boards stamped like passports, students spent five flavorful days “traveling” from China, Mexico, Italy, the United States, and South Africa—no plane ticket required. The result was a joyful mash-up of global tastes, nutrition education, and school-wide spirit that reminded students that healthy eating can be both adventurous and delicious. A Weeklong Journey on a Tray
Each day, Wallace spotlighted a new destination, weaving in geography, culture, and balanced nutrition. Themed décor, fun music cues, and playful “passport” stamps (hello, sticker fever!) made lunchtime feel like a field trip—while smart menu design kept the focus on whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and student choice. Monday: China
Menu highlights: Mandarin Orange Chicken over rice, a crisp Vegetable Egg Roll, steamed carrots, two fruit options, milk choice, and water.
The moment: Sweet-savory orange glaze met the comfort of steamed rice—an easy on ramp for younger palates and a conversation starter about Asian flavors and staples.
Tuesday: Mexico
Menu highlights: Walking Taco or Ham Chef Salad, whole kernel corn, pinto beans, two fruit options, milk choice, and water.
The moment: The Walking Taco stole the show—hand-held, fun, and customizable—
while pinto beans and corn brought fiber, color, and crunch.
Destination Success: One Journey, One Vision, One Goal
Wednesday: Italy
Menu highlights: Baked Spaghetti with Meat or Ham, Chef Salad, oven-roasted Parmesan broccoli, corn on the cob, apple slices or pear halves (or both), garlic toast, milk choice, and water.
The moment: Roasted broccoli with Parmesan transformed a familiar veggie into a fan
favorite, proving seasoning—and a little oven magic—goes a long way.
Thursday: America
Menu highlights: Bacon cheeseburger or Ham Chef Salad, shoestring fries, baked beans, mixed fruit cups or assorted fresh fruit, milk choice, and water.
The moment: A classic American comfort day balanced with fruit options and baked beans—packing protein and fiber alongside the main event.
Friday: South Africa
Menu highlights: Chermoula Chicken over white rice or Ham Chef Salad, steamed
broccoli or sliced carrots, a variety of fruit, milk choice, and water.
The moment: Chermoula—a vibrant herb-and-spice marinade—introduced students to
North African flavor profiles: citrusy, garlicky, and bright, paired with simple rice and veg for a confident, kid-friendly finish.
More Than a Meal: Why It Matters
National School Lunch Week celebrates the role school meals play in fueling learning.
Wallace’s “Taste Around the World” doubled down on that mission by:
• Expanding palates with approachable global dishes and familiar sides.
• Centering choice—each day offered fruits, water, and milk, plus a Ham Chef
Salad alternative.
• Connecting learning—teachers and staff used the menus to spark quick lessons
on geography, culture, and ingredients.
• Building community—cafeteria teams, teachers, and students turned lunch into a
shared experience and a daily highlight.
“Our students tried new foods without fear—because lunch felt like an adventure. We love seeing students discover a new favorite vegetable.” — Mrs. Anna Chappell,
Director of Food Service
The Team Behind the Ticket
From carefully tested recipes to the timing of hot trays and fresh fruit, this week’s success
showcased the precision—and heart—of the Wallace cafeteria team and the Marlboro
Destination Success: One Journey, One Vision, One Goal
County School District Food Service Department. Their work turned balanced nutrition standards into crowd-pleasing meals, and it showed in clean plates and big smiles.
What Students Learned (Between Bites)
• Food is culture. Dishes were conversation starters about traditions, regions, and
ingredients.
• Healthy eating can be exciting. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole
grains were built into every menu—without sacrificing flavor or fun.
• Curiosity is a skill. Trying something new—like chermoula or Parmesan-roasted
broccoli—helps students grow confident, flexible, and open-minded.
Wallace Elementary-Middle School’s “Taste Around the World” proves that when
nutrition, creativity, and learning sit at the same table, everyone leaves full.
Congratulations to the Wallace cafeteria team and to our students for embracing a week of global flavors with open minds—and empty trays.
