Delving into the Science History Institute's latest display, visitors are invited to ponder the hidden aspects of school lunches.
The Science History Institute in Old City Philadelphia is set to unveil a fascinating new exhibition titled "Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray" on September 27, 2024. This intriguing exploration delves into the historical and scientific efforts behind feeding children in U.S. schools.
The exhibition offers a unique perspective on the development of school lunch programs, demonstrating how science has influenced the design, nutrition, and distribution of school meals. It presents a compelling blend of historical artifacts and scientific insights, illustrating how feeding children at school has been a complex interplay of social policy, nutritional science, and technological innovation.
One of the exhibition's highlights is the school lunch tray, a symbol and tool in these efforts, which has evolved significantly over the years. The exhibition traces this evolution, from the late 18th century to the present day, showcasing how science has shaped what children eat, how food is delivered, and the nutritional standards aimed at supporting child health and development in educational settings.
Among the 90 artifacts on display, visitors can marvel at rare scientific instruments such as polarimeters, refractometers, and spectrophotometers. These instruments played a crucial role in ensuring the quality and nutritional value of school meals. Additionally, the exhibition features historic photographs, period editions of books, posters, and pamphlets, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of school lunches.
Comic books, including an issue of Real Life Comics (1943) and The Conquest of Hunger (1951), are also on display, providing a fun and engaging way to learn about the history of school lunches. Another intriguing artifact is a tiny aluminum token used to purchase lunch in a Philadelphia school in 1909.
The exhibition also spotlights notable figures who have influenced the development of school lunches, such as Jean Fairfax, the founder of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Fairfax's work in advancing the cause of the school lunch is highlighted, particularly her role in the Committee on School Lunch Participation, which found that only 4% of schoolchildren in America received free and reduced-cost lunches in 1968.
The "Lunchtime" exhibition is made possible by major support from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Foodology by Univar Solutions, Quaker Houghton, and Fred and Elizabeth Weber.
The Science History Institute, a museum and library dedicated to uncovering the hidden stories behind the history of science, will be temporarily closed until March 19, 2025, with a new exhibition slated to open in May 2025. The "Lunchtime" exhibition will run through January 2025 and is free to the public.
For media inquiries, please contact Caitlin Martin at [email protected] or Anne Edgar at [email protected]. The exhibition's design was created by Alusiv, a cross-disciplinary design team based in Philadelphia.
The opening celebration, "Ring the Bell, It's Lunchtime! An Opening Celebration", takes place on September 27, 2024, from 5pm-8pm at the Science History Institute in Old City Philadelphia. The event will feature interactive activities, food tastings, and a chance to explore the exhibition.
Lastly, the exhibition also showcases the increasing reliance on frozen and packaged foods, such as Lunchables and pizza, as well as the growing movement toward sourced and seasonal fresh food. It features a package of Rebel Crumbles, a breakfast food marketed by Rebel Ventures, as a healthy lunch alternative that meets USDA guidelines and is distributed in Philadelphia public schools for breakfast.
Visit the Science History Institute from September 27, 2024, to January 2025, and embark on a journey through the history of school food, discovering the science behind what we eat and how it shapes our lives.
- The Science History Institute's upcoming exhibition, "Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray," will delve into the science behind school meals and the historical development of school lunch programs.
- The exhibition will offer a blend of historical artifacts, including rare scientific instruments and comic books, which provide insights into the role of science in shaping school lunches.
- Among the 90 artifacts on display, visitors can find a tiny aluminum token used to purchase lunch in a Philadelphia school in 1909, illustrating the evolution of meal purchasing in educational settings.
- Notable figures like Jean Fairfax, the founder of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, will be highlighted for their contributions to improving school lunch programs and addressing nutritional inequalities.
- The "Lunchtime" exhibition will also explore the shifting trends in school food, such as the increasing reliance on frozen and packaged foods, and the growing movement towards sourced and seasonal fresh food, showcasing alternatives like Rebel Crumbles, a healthy breakfast option distributed in Philadelphia public schools.
