I never thought I’d be writing about lunch, of all things. But here I am, a kid from Poland, feeling kind of embarrassed that I even have to talk about this. It all started when I heard about this debate in America over something called Lunchly versus Lunchables. At first, I thought it was a joke. I mean, are people really arguing about which processed snack pack is better for kids? But the more I learned, the more I realized this wasn’t funny at all. It was actually pretty sad.
You see, in my school, lunch isn’t a big deal – and I mean that in a good way. Every morning, either my mom or dad packs my lunch. It’s usually a sandwich stuffed with veggies (they’re vegan, so if I want meat, I have to add it myself), some cut-up fruits and vegetables, a handful of nuts, and a whole grain cracker. Oh, and water in my Air Up bottle – not sponsored, I just really like it. Sometimes, when my grandparents visit, they make me these awesome wraps with hummus and all sorts of colorful veggies.
When I first heard about Lunchables and Lunchly, I was confused. These didn’t sound like real meals to me. I looked them up online, and what I saw didn’t look like much of a lunch. Lunchables even describes itself on their website as “As stackable as they are snackable.” That doesn’t sound like something that should replace a proper meal.
I decided to do some research. I watched videos by these doctors – Dr. Brian Sutterer and Dr. Mikhail Varshavski (known as Doctor Mike) – who explained why these packaged lunches aren’t great for kids. It’s not just about the taste or convenience; it’s about giving growing bodies the right fuel.
But here’s the thing that really got to me: I learned that in America, 1 in 5 kids is living with hunger. That’s nearly 14 million children who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. And it’s gotten worse since 2023. How can this be happening in one of the richest countries in the world?
I thought about my school, where kids who don’t bring lunch from home can get a hot meal for less than 20 złotych (that’s about 5 USD). It includes soup, a main course, and fruit juice. It’s not gourmet, but it’s real food, prepared fresh each day by an external catering company. We even have a kitchen and canteen where we can buy sandwiches with meat, vegetables, or other healthy snacks if we forget our lunch. No chips, no soda, no candy – just good, nutritious options.
I wondered why this couldn’t happen in American schools. Surely every town with a school has restaurants or catering companies nearby? Couldn’t they work together to provide real meals for kids?
The more I thought about it, the more upset I got. It’s not just about Lunchly or Lunchables. It’s about companies making money from kids not having better options. It’s about a system that seems okay with children going hungry or eating food that isn’t good for them.
I talked to my parents about this, and they encouraged me to write about it. They said sometimes it takes an outside perspective to see things clearly. So, that’s what I’m doing. I’m writing this because I believe every kid deserves good food, no matter where they live.
I know I’m just one kid, and I can’t solve this problem alone. But I also know that change has to start somewhere. Maybe if more people start talking about this – kids, parents, teachers – something will change. Maybe schools will start offering better lunches. Maybe more programs will be created to make sure no kid goes hungry.
There’s an organization called No Kid Hungry that’s working on this problem. I’ve been reading about them, and I think they’re doing important work. They have ideas for how to help, whether it’s donating money, volunteering time, or just spreading the word.
So, here’s what I think: It doesn’t matter if Lunchly is better than Lunchables or the other way around. What matters is that kids need real, nutritious food to grow, learn, and be healthy. It’s not just about filling stomachs; it’s about nourishing bodies and minds.
I’m lucky. I know where my next meal is coming from, and I know it’ll be good for me. But I think every kid should have that same security. No child should have to worry about being hungry or eating food that isn’t good for them.
I’m not an expert. I’m just a kid who cares. But sometimes, that’s enough to start making a difference. So, I’m asking anyone who reads this – kids, grown-ups, teachers, whoever you are – to think about this issue. Talk about it. And if you can, do something about it. Because every kid deserves a good lunch, and so much more.
It’s time for both Lunchly and Lunchables to be gone. We need to focus on real, sustainable solutions that ensure every child has access to nutritious meals. The era of kids being hungry in the United States needs to end today. We need to stop the exploitation of childhood hunger by anyone, whether it’s a big company or a small one, whether by Lunchables or Lunchly. Every kid in the United States, but also elsewhere, doesn’t just deserve 3 healthy meals each and every day, but should get it.
Echoes of silence in a crowded room
Strength unveiled
