Essay
Schools in Minnesota are required to provide free lunches and as part of that mandate, they should offer plant-based meals. It is crucial that these school lunches provide sufficient nutrients and meet students’ needs, no matter their dietary restrictions or preference. Plant-based meals are typically lower in fat, higher in vitamins and minerals, and include fiber. Schools should provide the healthiest options possible since students are growing and need nourishment, and it also helps them to be focused and stay energized in school.
There are many reasons that a student may not eat meat. It may be due to ethical, health, moral, or religious convictions. For example, there are multiple religions that forbid eating pork and other religions abstain from all meat, such as some Hindus and Buddhists. It is important that schools have alternatives and practice inclusivity. It is also important to respect the ethical or moral beliefs of students who want to have an environmental or social impact. It is simply unfair for students to be forced into eating meat. Vegetarian and vegan students should have either a dedicated menu or sufficient options available.
Finally, there are significant environmental benefits of plant-based meals. Imagine the impact of all Minnesota schools committing to provide them. These schools would be helping combat climate change and the lowering of greenhouse gas emissions, they’d be using fewer land and water resources and they could even use it as a learning experience and grow some of their own foods in a local garden.
Schools should provide plant-based meals and actively contribute to a more sustainable future.