Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Discussion of the free lunch program emerged. This was after presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto made it a strategic program.
Of course, this program has pros and cons. But apart from that, there is an interesting story about how this free lunch program first became known in the world.
What's that?
Historically, the free lunch program began in the United States (US). However, this program did not originate from government policy, but rather from the private sector.
It's surprising because the originator is a bar or alcoholic beverage club. The person who first created the idea of free lunches was Joseph Chesterfield Mackin.
In 1871, Mackin came up with the idea not because of excess money or philanthropy, but as an attempt to get liquor. That's so that the main dishes at the bar can be sold.
In essence, Mackin wanted people to buy liquor in exchange for a free lunch. He believes that this method can make his business profitable because previously it always made losses.
As explained The Saloon: Public Drinking in Chicago and Boston, 1880-1920 (1983), Mackin attempted to give a free lunch, namely hot oysters, to every visitor who bought one liquor. Sometimes, it's not just oysters, but also pieces of meat, boiled eggs and cheese.
Unexpectedly, this method then increased liquor sales so that Mackin could make a profit. This step was then adopted by many other bars.
Circa 1870s, citing archives New York Times, many bars began to provide free lunches to visitors. So to be able to sample the free lunch, visitors must buy liquor first.
Interestingly, this liquor is not just for quenching thirst. But also as an antidote to the unpleasant taste of food.
In Drinking in America: A History (1982) explained that bar owners usually deliberately serve the free food with less salt. The aim is for visitors to make up for the shortage by buying more liquor.
Of course, all this adds to the coffers of bar owners. And, in the same way, people can be full.
However, on the other hand, the free lunch strategy has caused polemics. In 1874, the Temperance group said this program was tantamount to opening the door to death. This is because people consume alcohol more often, which is dangerous for their health.
Apart from that, this program has also caused the number of unemployed and homeless in many cities to increase. As a result, at the end of the 19th century, many cities began to ban free lunch programs in bars.
Despite the ban on bars, free lunch programs are apparently being adopted in schools. From there until now, the program continues to be carried out in the US.
Quote Time, Philadelphia and Boston became the first two cities in the US to implement free school lunches since the end of the 19th century. The initiators were NGOs, the Women's Educational and Industrial Union and the Starr Center Association.
Since its implementation, free lunch has had a positive impact. Time said this program has not only been proven to have an impact on children's growth, but has also been successful in teaching children healthy and wise eating habits.
On this basis, as compulsory education began to be implemented, the free lunch program expanded after the US government took full operational control. In 1941, the government required all schools to provide free lunches.
As a realization, the government buys farmers' excess harvest to prevent losses and employs women to cook. This method has proven effective for farmers, women and children.
This program was then further legalized in the National School Lunch Act 1946.
Through this regulation, the free lunch program continues to this day. Although on the other hand it also causes polemics, in the form of changes in nutritional quality, the impact of obesity, and issues of budget constraints.
Actually, deep Georgian Encyclopedia It is also written how free lunches first appeared in Europe at the end of the 19th century. England and Germany were the first two countries to do so.
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