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The U.K government is being urged to remove meat from school meals in a bid to offer more sustainable, healthy meals.
A number of organizations and individuals – including PETA, Greenpeace UK, and Meat Free Monday (founded by Paul, Mary, and Stella McCartney) – have joined forces to write to the secretary of state for education.
According to PETA, the letter notes that ‘the current animal-derived food mandates limit schools’ capacity to serve children climate-friendly vegan foods and are out of step with the government’s own nutritional advice to the public – the Eatwell Guide – which allows for nutritional needs to be met without meat and dairy’.
‘No one needs meat’
A 2019 poll by food brand Linda McCartney Foods revealed that 70 percent of British children want more vegan meals on their school menus – with PETA saying that as the world faces dual health and climate crises, ‘going vegan is one of the best things young people can do for animals, the planet, and their own health’.
In a statement sent to Plant Based News, Paul, Mary, and Stella McCartney said: “No one needs to eat meat, so it shouldn’t be mandatory to serve it in schools. It’s time to revise the School Food Standards to help the planet, spare animals, and promote healthy eating.”
Supporters of the proposal to remove meat from school menus include the Royal Society for Public Health, Greenpeace UK, Compassion in World Farming, Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, Humane Society International UK, Animal Aid, ProVeg UK, Veganuary, Viva!, Quorn Foods, Caroline Lucas MP, and Henry Smith MP.
