School Lunch Culture

Lunch is a highly important part of a student's day. However, the way lunch is experienced in Canada is vastly different from the deep-rooted cultural lunch traditions in Cameroon.

My Lunch in Canada 🇨🇦

At my school, Clarkson Secondary School in Mississauga, Canada, lunch is a fast-paced break. It starts exactly at 11:35 AM and lasts for about one hour.

During this time, we have the freedom to stay inside, leave the school property entirely, or buy food nearby. If we stay, the cafeteria sells items like pizza, poutine, drinks, and snacks.

Personally, my go-to lunch usually consists of fries, burgers, or the globally famous Canadian classic: poutine.

Lunch in Cameroon 🇨🇲

In Cameroon, the lunch break is a much longer, more relaxed affair. It often starts later, around 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM, and can last up to two hours depending on the school.

Lunch is seen as a time for family and community. Many students actually go all the way home to eat a large, freshly cooked family meal. Those who stay at school buy affordable, delicious street food from local vendors right outside the gates.

Common staple foods are rich and hearty, including Ndolé (a traditional stew made with bitter leaves, nuts, and fish or meat), Poulet DG, or popular street foods like beignets paired with beans.