As another school year rolls around, more and more schools are adopting healthy lunch programs, and incorporating Meatless Mondays to combat our nation’s high obesity rate.
Earlier this year, elementary Public School 244 in Queens, N.Y., became the first public school in the country to implement an all-vegetarian menu for its cafeteria.
Also this year, L.A. Unified, the nation’s second-largest public school district, decided to stop selling meat in its cafeterias on Mondays, and San Diego Unified school district soon followed suit.
As students become aware of the devastating impact that modern animal agriculture has on animals, the environment and human health, many are choosing to put their ethics on the table by choosing healthy and humane plant-based alternatives to meat, dairy and eggs.
Want more meatless meals at your school? Here are some helpful tips for veganizing your cafeteria:
- Write a letter to your principal or foodservice director. Explain why providing meatless meals is important to you. Be sure to mention the growing number of schools that have made the switch!
- Write an op-ed for your school paper. This will give fellow students the opportunity to chime in with their support!
- Offer suggestions to lunch room staff on how to promote veggie options. Ask them to help sing the praises of veg eating around your school.
- Bring a bagged lunch. From old-school classics like peanut butter and jelly to new twists on old favorites like Tofurky sandwiches, packing a vegan lunch is a simple way to stay vegan at school.
Veganizing your cafeteria is just one of many steps you can take to transition to a healthy and compassionate vegan diet this school year. Visit ChooseVeg.com for free recipes, nutritional information and more.
