New York City’s public school system goes meat-free on Fridays

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Carry on the broccoli.

New York Metropolis’s public faculties have began serving vegan meals as soon as every week on Fridays, as a part of an initiative by the town’s Division of Schooling to introduce more healthy meals selections.

Gadgets on the menu on the primary day of the brand new meals plan included vegan tacos, seasoned broccoli, and black bean and corn salad.

Cheese sandwiches and milk can even be accessible however in any other case the Friday menus can be fully vegan in New York Metropolis’s public college system – the biggest in the US, serving 1.1 million college students in over 1,800 faculties.

“Plant-based choices in faculties means wholesome consuming and wholesome dwelling,” the town’s Division of Schooling mentioned in a tweet.

“It’s actually an enormous shift from the place they had been with dairy-heavy meals like grilled cheese and pizza to issues which can be extra sustainable and more healthy for our college students,” mentioned Dana Smith, Marketing campaign Director for Meatless Monday.

Since 2019/20, the town’s faculties have been serving vegetarian meals on Mondays.

New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams is vegan and has touted the well being and environmental advantages of a plant-based weight loss program.

“In a single voice we discuss combating childhood weight problems, diabetes, but you go into a faculty constructing on daily basis and also you see the meals that feeds our well being care disaster,” Adams mentioned earlier within the week.

“And the kids have been calling me and saying they need higher meals in class. I’m going to do the most effective I may give them the choices of a more healthy weight loss program,” he mentioned.

Dr. Vanita Rahman, clinic director on the Barnard Medical Heart, praised the brand new initiative.

“I believe this can be a actually good first step to deliver this to high school as a result of kids are weak,” she mentioned. “They eat what they’re given, whether or not at residence or at college. They might not all the time have management over the meals. So, New York Metropolis public faculties providing this can be a terrific first step.”

(Reporting by Christine Kiernan and Soren Larsen; enhancing by Diane Craft)