SCHOOL PLATES
Imagine if we were able to help to save the planet, improve the health of school children and save money – all through the simplest of changes.
School Plates does just that.
Image source: shutterstock.com / Monkey Business Images
OUR SERVICES
We work with local authorities, schools, and private caterers, offering a range of menu support services. We are the extra pair of hands to help you to achieve more sustainable, healthier, and cheaper school menus.
WE PROVIDE
For the planet
We need to eat much less meat and dairy for the future of our planet – that’s the collective view of all the experts – and we agree.
The Climate Change Committee has recommended a 20% shift away from all meat and dairy by​ 2030 (rising to 35% by 2050) in order to put the UK on the path to net zero.
The National Food Strategy has recommended the following changes to the UK national diet by 2032 compared to 2019: 30% less meat, 20% more fruit & vegetables, and 50% more fibre.
Improve children’s health
Whole plant-based foods are great for our health. They are packed full of nutrients and fibre, are lower in fat and calories than animal-based products, and lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Most UK children are fibre-deficient, with almost one-third of children aged 5-10 eating less than one portion of vegetables per day. This can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer.
Eating more plant-based foods can also help to reduce childhood obesity, which is regarded by the World Health Organisation as one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Almost 10% of children starting school in England are obese and by age 10, over a third of school children are overweight or obese.
Save money
What will this cost? With budgets tighter than ever, we recognise this is a legitimate concern. However, plant-based meals are on average cheaper than meat-based meals – chickpeas are far cheaper than chicken, and lentils cost a fraction of the price of minced beef!
Almost every one of our dozens of partners has saved money from working with us. You can too!
This is the direction of change
Shifting to more plant-based foods is very much already the direction of change in the public sector.
A campaign was launched in 2020 to reduce the amount of meat served in the public sector by 20%. It attracted widespread support from the industry, including LACA.
A study earlier this year found that over 80% of public sector caterers have committed to meat reduction, and 83% have committed to increasing plant proteins by 20%.
Young people’s attitudes are changing
A YouGov survey found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of 11-18 year olds said the environment and climate change was one of their most important issues for the country.
Those in the survey who wanted to eat less meat also said they wanted to see more meat-free options made available at school since they’re not always able to influence shopping habits at home.
TEAM
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Jimmy Pierson
Director, ProVeg UK
A former lawyer and journalist, Jimmy started School Plates in 2018. It is now a UK-wide programme helping schools and local authorities make delicious, sustainable food.
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Colette Fox
Programme Manager
Colette leads ProVeg UK’s flagship programme, School Plates, working directly with schools and local authorities all over the UK to support their meat-reduction efforts by making small changes that make a big difference to their children’s health, the planet and save them money – all at the same time. She is a certified Nutrition Coach, member of Plant Based Health Professionals UK, and Co-Founder of The Health Habit.
