A $1 coin might not buy much today — but back in 1979 it was enough to dine like a king, a 42-year-old canteen menu shows.
The 1979 South Kalgoorlie Primary School menu shows how a gold coin could get you a pie, chocolate milk, fruit and licorice, with 18 cents to spare.
Delicious classics such as the Chiko Roll, Vegemite sandwiches and sausage rolls could all be purchased for less than 30cents.
Blast from the past! A canteen menu from 1979 is going viral after being shared on Facebook
But arguably the most peculiar items on the menu include UFOs — a delicious candy shaped like a flying saucer with sherbet inside — and peanut paste — which was
The nostalgic menu had menu many reminiscing about a time gone by on Facebook.
‘I can’t get over how cheap the food was. These days kids need at least $5 for the canteen,’ one Australian wrote.
Another menu shared shows what was on the menu at Berala Public School, in 1974. ,
Pupils could indulge in devon, peanut butter, banana, spaghetti or baked bean sandwiches for prices as low as 11 cents.
Sweet treats like lamingtons, finger buns and vanilla slices – much-loved Australian classics – were on offer for nine cents and a plain donut was just seven cents.
At Berala Public School, based in NSW, pupils could indulge in devon, peanut butter, banana, spaghetti or baked bean sandwiches for prices as low as 11 cents
If you were feeling lavish you could splash out on a chocolate eclair or custard tart for 13 cents, or an apple pie for 15 cents.
‘I remember the tuckshop menu from my primary school circa 1978-79 with prices not too much more than these! Pies, party pies, saveloys, hot cheese rolls, savoury rolls and sandwiches,’ one person wrote.
‘Spaghetti sandwiches need to make a comeback,’ another said.
‘Back when getting a lunch order was a treat and then getting the change in the paper bag to spend at the canteen,’ a third added.
The menu is a far cry from what’s available in school canteens today.
Independently-owned canteen Grounded, at Northern Beaches Christian School, offers smashed avocado on artisan sourdough bread, and vegan coconut yoghurt.
The menu is in stark contrast to what’s on offer today at independently-owned canteen Grounded, at Northern Beaches Christian School
Earlier this year, an Australian father Bruno Bouchet, sparked a heated debate on social media for ranking classic canteen snacks from best to worst.
Sunnyboys, Burger Man chips, Mamee noodles and pizza roundas, also known as pizza pockets, were awarded the coveted top spot in the ‘God tier’ category.
Nerds, meat pies and Billabong ice cream were featured in the second-best ‘Royalty tier’, alongside sherbet pops, which are fizzy sherbet lollipops.
In the centre of his rankings, Bruno controversially put sausage rolls and Zooper Dooper ice poles along with Ghost Drops and Sesame Snaps in the ‘Adam Sandler tier’, or what he describes as the middle ground of ‘take it or leave it’.
The ‘Pleb’ or second-lowest tier consisted of Zappo lollies, Nutella snack packs, Ovalteenies and Fizzers chewy sweets.
Jelly cups, J.J. chicken chips, pizza singles and Warheads sour candy stood at the bottom of the barrel in the ‘cat vomit’ tier.
A father sparked a heated debate after ranking classic canteen snacks from best to worst, with Sunnyboys taking out the top spot while describing Warheads as ‘cat vomit’
