- In rural areas, children often brought a packed lunch from home, which might include sandwiches, fruit, and maybe a treat like a cookie.
- In urban areas, some schools had cafeterias that served hot meals, while others had milk programs that provided children with a cup of milk each day.
- Some children also ate lunch at home with their families, which might include a variety of dishes such as soup, stew, or sandwiches.
United Kingdom:
- Children from wealthier families might have had a hot meal at home or at school, such as roast beef, mashed potatoes, and vegetables.
- Children from poorer families might have had a packed lunch of bread and cheese, or a bowl of soup.
- Some children also worked in factories or other workplaces and brought their own packed lunches to eat during their breaks.
France:
- Children often had a hot meal at school, which might include soup, meat or fish, vegetables, and bread.
- Some children also had a packed lunch, which might include sandwiches, fruit, and maybe a treat like a pastry.
- In some rural areas, children might have had to work in the fields during lunchtime, and would eat their packed lunch while working.
Germany:
- Children often had a hot meal at home or at school, such as Kartoffeln (potatoes), Brot (bread), and Bratwurst (sausage).
- Some children also had a packed lunch, which might include sandwiches, fruit, and maybe a treat like a piece of chocolate.
- In some rural areas, children might have had to work in the fields during lunchtime, and would eat their packed lunch while working.