We want to give all schools the access to the most accurate information when it comes to health and nutrition and so today, on International School Meals Day, we are launching our new campaign ‘Plant Powered Pupils’.

As our name suggests, we are enthusiastic cheerleaders for vegetables. Eating more plants is good for us now, builds long-term healthy eating patterns which can spare us the nation’s most common ailments, protects our planet and its resources, makes sure that no one gets singled out as ‘different’ and – crucially for schools – is cheaper, too.

Through this project we aim to work with schools to make small changes to their current menus, creating big and lasting differences to their pupils’ health, our planet and their pockets. We all know that animal produce is some of the most expensive food we purchase and by making small changes you are certain to save money and as an added bonus; save both our health and the planet.

 

The small changes:

1. Ensure there are meat-free meals offered daily; this will boost veggie intake as the majority of dishes can be modified to substitute the meat with veg.

2. Make the meat-free meal different to the meat-based one; this creates a more open choice where one meal is not seen as inferior over another.

3. Have at least one meat-free day each week; why not jump on board the Meat free Monday trend?

4. Ensure the menu’s wording and order does not suggest the meat-free meal is inferior; small changes can mean that pupils are more likely to choose a veggie option when the language used is positive and it isn’t in second place.

5. Take all processed red meat off the menu.

 

In 2015, the World Health Organization confirmed there is ‘sufficient evidence from epidemiological studies that eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer’[i] while Cancer Research UK says that there is also growing evidence of a link to stomach and pancreatic cancers.[ii] This means that any processed meats such as sausages, bacon, ham, hot dogs, salami and pepperoni are classified as carcinogenic. Substances in the same carcinogenic classification as processed meat include tobacco, arsenic and asbestos.

There are a number of schools across the UK already acknowledging this and other significant research and seeking advice to reduce the meat and dairy offerings on their menus and transition to more delicious plant-based alternatives. Many schools have a vegetarian offering, but they tend to be a less attractive sounding version of the meat alternative, making the meat version an easy ‘choice’. During this project we are asking schools to implement small changes such as putting a veggie option first instead of it always trailing behind in second place; this can change the psychology around the mealtime choices. Not only an order change but a language change can also make the veggie option more appealing.

 

If the options are:

Option 1: Beef Burger in a bun

Option 2: Vegan Burger made with lentils and beetroot in a vegan bun

Children are likely to choose the ‘normal’ one in this hierarchy.

 

However, change the menu:

Option 1: Burger in a Bun (VE)

Option 2: Shepherd’s Pie

Here we have more neutral choice. We have an opportunity for those pupils who fancy a burger to choose an option which is delicious, good for them, good for the environment and has cost the school less than the meat alternative previously offered. Neither option is inferior, neither option suggests a norm vs a non-conforming choice. This is the win-win-win-win.

 

 ‘If you could enhance your pupils’ health, help protect them from killer diseases in the long-term, reduce your impact on the environment and save money all at the same time, why wouldn’t you?’

– Jimmy Pierson, Director, ProVeg UK

 

This International School Meals Day, let’s help all schools achieve the win-win-win-win

 

If you work in a school yourself or know someone who does, then please get in touch with [email protected] or message us on any of our social media channels.