Leading environmental charity says all British schools should go meat-free at least once a week
With a move towards a more meat-free diet in school, children would benefit nutritionally from eating more plant-based proteins and the climate would also benefit.
JASMINE ANDERSSON: ‘A leading environmental charity is asking the government to make meat free days mandatory in schools in the ongoing battle to stop climate change. The Soil Association has proposed schools should be made to have one meat-free day in school a week so kids can eat better quality meat during the rest of the week as well as eat healthier vegetarian options at school. As it stands, state schools are obliged to offer pupils meat-free options. They can implement a meat-free lunch time, but this is optional… It’s hoped that the move towards a more meat-free diet in schools would be a small step towards tackling climate change… The Department for Education, however, said its current guidelines “ensure that school meals are healthy and nutritious”…
Rob Percival, Head of Policy for Food and Health at the Soil Association said the “weak” guidelines on meat-free lunches are affecting children and the environment. He stated: “The updated School Food Standards should require that all schools serve a plant-based protein day each week. The current, non-compulsory advice for a meat-free day is too weak… At the moment, there is a soft incentive for schools to have a meat free day,” Mr Percival said. “Schools have to cater for a veggie or vegan meal, but they’re not required to have a meat-free day. Although they have strict protein guidelines, there’s not a lot of emphasis on meat-free options… We know children would benefit nutritionally from eating more beans, pulses, and plant-based proteins and the climate would also benefit”.’ SOURCE…
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