Time magazine has a revealing story about school lunches in France. Short version:
Americans struggling with obesity epidemics have for years wondered how the so-called French paradox works: How does a nation that ingests huge quantities of butter, beef and cakes keep trim and have such long lives? It could be the red wine, as some believe. But another reason has to be this: in a country where con artists and adulterers are tolerated, the laws governing meals are sacrosanct and are drummed into children before they can even hold a knife. The French don’t need their First Lady to plant a vegetable garden at the Élysée Palace to encourage good eating habits. They already know the rules: sit down and take your time, because food is serious business. … On Feb. 4, (children at a public preschool) ate hake in Basque sauce, mashed pumpkin, cracked rice, Edam cheese and organic fruits for lunch.