The History of That Thing in School Lunch

The evolution and memories of school lunch
seem to differ between generations.

If there is a fact that remains unchanged
between the present and the past, it is that they

were always thinking about
nutrition to match the times.

A staple of school lunch,

milk.

"School lunch today is delicious!"
my son says passionately.

"Well, that's true."
"It's not that thing, so yeah."
"That thing from my era,
...that thing was hard to eat."
"That thing smelled so bad~"

Each generation looks back on their memories
and voices their own opinions.

Getting worked up, my son
continues his passionate speech.

"That's because

it was the era of that thing!

It couldn't be helped,

because it was that thing!"

That thing?
What is that thing?

The adults of various generations
are listening, but
they are already feeling good from the alcohol. They are in a nostalgic, wistful state.

My son's passionate speech is hard to get across...
It's a lively restaurant on a holiday.

"That thing is that thing!
Um,

Defecation powdered milk!"

Many of the drunks
spit out their drinks with a 'Pfft!'
I hold my head in my hands.

My son doesn't realize his mistake.
My son thinks they are laughing at him.
His intensity increases even more.

"It's no laughing matter!
That thing has a history!

Defecation powdered milk does!"

I understand what he wants to say.
I understand, but an emergency correction is needed.

If Mom doesn't stop him,
who will?!

My motherly sense of responsibility kicks in...
To make sure I don't hurt my son's feelings...

I have to stop my son!
I must stop him!

My responsibility as a mother!

"We're in a restaurant, your voice is... a bit loud..."

At this point, I'm already feeling so awkward and uncomfortable. I just want to laugh with everyone else.

My son gives me a rebellious look...
Grrr ( *｀ω´)?!

Me: "It's skim milk powder (dasshi funnyu)."

Son: "Eh, that's what I'm saying."

Me: "No, you said 'pun'."

Son.........(・Д・)
Feces... fat.........(・Д・)

Someone over sixty was also sitting with us, and they kindly chimed in,
"I didn't really encounter skim milk powder myself. Maybe my older brother hated it."

A mysteriously kind follow-up.
Right in the middle of the izakaya counter.
The master is also smirking.

"Y-yes, that, that!"

For some reason, his ears turn red,
and my son keeps acting smug.

What my son wanted to say,history.

Skim milk powder

Linked to technological progress and post-war social conditions.
From the late 19th century onwards,
it began to be produced to avoid wasting the byproduct (skim milk) created when making butter and cream.
Technologies such as spray drying, where milk is atomized and dried with hot air, were developed.
Raw milk spoils easily,
but turning it into powder allows for long-term storage at room temperature and long-distance transport.

First half of the 20th century
During World War I and World War II,

skim milk powder was highly valued.

First, as military rations.

High in nutritional value, light, and easy to carry. A valuable source of protein and calcium for the military.

As shelf-stable relief supplies,
sent to regions suffering from post-war food shortages.

As a nutritional source,

It began to be sent in large quantities.

Late 1940s onwards -
For Japanese people, skim milk powder is most memorable from postwar school lunches.

Immediately after the war,
suffering from severe malnutrition

for the children of Japan,

large quantities of skim milk powder were donated by American private organizations (LARA) and UNICEF.

Starting around 1947 in urban elementary schools,
school lunches consisting of bread and skim milk powder began.
At the time, it was not processed to dissolve easily like it is today, and it had a distinct odor.

Many of that generation say,

“We had to hold our noses to drink it.”

It became a taste that stayed in their memories.

From the mid-1960s,
Japanese school lunches began to change.
They gradually switched
from “skim milk powder” to “raw milk (cow's milk).”

Thehistorymy son wanted to talk about.

Of skim milk powder!

That’s all... I think this is what he meant.

As abusybodymother,
I will add this.

!Skim milk powder!

Has it disappeared now?

No, no,
it is actually indispensable.

It is actively used as araw material for bread, sweets, yogurt, processed milk, and more.

Furthermore,
it is also active as a functional food.

Low fat and high protein.

Taking advantage of these characteristics, it continues to be widely
usedindiet foodsandnutritional supplements for the elderly, and even as a base for sportsprotein powder.

Applause (● ˃̶͈̀ロ˂̶͈́)੭ꠥ⁾⁾

In truth, it is
an essential food item.

Why do we hear that it was
"tasteless" or "memorable"
in the past?

It oxidized easily during transport.
It tended to clump when dissolved in hot water.
The cooking environment was not well-equipped.
Leaving food unfinished was not permitted.

These are thought to be the causes.

＿φ(￣ー￣ ) I see...

Skim milk powder made with
2026 technology.
It dissolves very easily and has a clean taste.

I would like to
show it respect.

As much as possible, like my son,
I hope the mispronunciations decrease.

Thank you for staying with me
until the end!

At this restaurant,
these things happen easily.
Always a great meal, Master!