Special Events 

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Strawberries & Salad Greens Day

Fresh, ripe, farm-picked strawberries and greens are served to all DCPS students every June on Strawberries & Salad Greens Day. Schools host “Where Food Comes From” tables at lunch and some students visit area farms to see produce growing first hand.

International Food Days

In partnership with the Embassy Adoption Program, DCPS Food Services is celebrating the tastes and flavors of global cuisine by holding four international food day events sponsored by DC embassies.  These events will expose students to new foods and to the cultures and customs of the countries being featured.

On each international food day, DCPS will serve traditional dishes of the featured country in the cafeteria. Cultural events and educational activities will be made available to schools who would like to provide additional activities for students.     

2013 - 2014 International Food Schedule

March 20, 2013: Singapore Food Day

Sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore

November 20, 2013: Fijian Food Day

Sponsored by the Embassy of Fiji

March 2014: France Food Day

Sponsored by the Embassy of France

Singapore Food Day - March 20, 2013

Alice Deal MS, partners with the Embassy of Singapore through the Embassy Adoption Program, will host the food day kick-off event, with Ambassador Ashok Kumar Mirpuri joining the 6th grade students for lunch and cultural stations.

On the menu:

Breakfast Chicken and Carrot Porridge Lunch Bee Hoon Chicken and Vegetable and Tangerines

2011-12 International Food Schedule

Oct. 26, 2011:  Nordic Food Day

Sponsored by the Embassy of Sweden, the Embassy of Norway, the Embassy of Iceland, the Embassy of Finland, and the Embassy of Denmark.

Jan. 25, 2012:  Indonesian Food Day

Sponsored by the Embassy of Indonesia

May 11, 2012: Panamanian Food Day

Sponsored by the Embassy of Panama

Dec 4, 2012: Korean Food Day

Sponsored by the Embassy of Korea

Nordic Food Day – October 26, 2011

The countries of Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Denmark are commonly referred to as the Nordic Countries as they share a similar history and environment. The cuisine of the Nordic countries is simple, seasonal, and celebrates the bounty of nature. Traditional dishes typically include fish, which is commonly smoked or served with a cream sauce, cured meat or game, pickled or boiled vegetables, and seasonal fresh fruits including lingonberries and bilberries.  

View a slideshow from the event »

On the Menu:

Breakfast Siggi’s Skyr Icelandic Yoghurt Lunch Swedish Meat Balls with Lingonberry Jam or Norwegian Salmon in Dill Sauce with Roasted Root Vegetables  and Wasa Crisp Bread Supper Open-faced Sandwich Additional Items Lingonberry Juice Box and Whole Wheat Pancake with Jam

Nordic Day Worksheets, appropriate for elementary-aged students

Food Match - Match each food to its country

Flag Coloring - Color in the different flags of the Nordic countries

Word Search - Identify traditional Nordic foods in a letter jumble

Indonesian Food Day – January 25, 2012

Due to the more than 6,000 different islands that make up the country of Indonesia, the food culture is extremely diverse. Indonesian cuisine has been influenced by India, China and Europe. Indonesian dishes are full of flavor from spices such as lemongrass, nutmeg and ginger. Traditional Indonesian meals typically include rice, meat soups and leafy green vegetables. 

On the Menu:

Lunch Menu: Curried Chicken Fragrant Brown Rice w/ Fresh Lemongrass Indonesian Steamed Vegetables Baked Sweet Plantains or Baked White Fish w/Coconut Milk Brown Rice Indonesian Cole Slaw Sweet Plantains or Indonesian Meatball Soup Diced Red Potatoes Whole Wheat Dinner Roll Honey Roasted Soy Nuts

Panamanian Food Day – May 11, 2012

The country of Panama serves as a land bridge between North America and South America. Because of this, Panama has an enormous variety of tropical fruits and vegetables such as mangos, melons and plantains. Panamanian food is similar to other countries in Latin America but it is not as spicy. Arroz con pollo (rice and chicken), sancocho (chicken and corn soup) and tamales are common Panamanian meals.

On the Menu:

Lunch Menu: Beef Empanadas Spicy Red Beans Pineapple Coleslaw Sliced Melon  or Arroz con Pollo Traditional Potato Salad Sweet Plantains or Arroz con Pollo w/Spanish Brown Rice Steamed Corn Fresh Fruit

In partnership with the Embassy Adoption Program, DCPS Food Services celebrates the tastes and flavors of global cuisine by holding international food day events sponsored by DC embassies throughout the school year.  These events expose students to new foods and to the cultures and customs of the countries being featured.

On each international food day, DCPS serves traditional dishes of the featured country in the cafeteria. Cultural events and educational activities are made available to schools who would like to provide additional activities for students.  

Korean Food Day

Traditional Korean meals usually feature a main dish, rice and a variety of side dishes that are served and eaten "family style". Meals are typically eaten with chopsticks and a long handled spoon. Koreans eat many preserved foods such as dried meats and fermented vegetables. Kimchi, a mixture of pickled vegetables such as cabbage, radish and green onion, is featured at many meals and is a staple in Korean homes.