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More California schools are offering vegetarian lunch options, although the percentage of these options still remains low, according to a new report from the organization Friends of the Earth.
The report, Plant-Based Trends in California’s School Lunches, found that in the state’s largest 25 school districts, the percentage of vegetarian menu options increased from just 7% of menu options in 2019 to 11% in 2023. Some of the menu items the organization cites as “healthy, plant-based” options are chana masala bowls, vegan tamales, tofu ramen and veggie falafel wraps.
The organization also found a reduction in highly processed meats and cheese-heavy entrees.
The report also found that more schools are offering vegetarian options, with more than half of high schools (56%) offering plant-based menu options every day in 2023 compared to 36% of high schools in 2019. The percentage of elementary schools offering plant-based menu options went up from 16% in 2019 to 60% in 2023.
However, one-quarter of districts still do not offer plant-based entrees and another quarter only offer nut butter and jelly as a plant-based option, according to the report.
“It’s remarkable to see the progress we’ve made from the days when a peanut butter and jelly sandwich was the only plant-based option,” said Nora Stewart, climate-friendly food senior program manager at Friends of the Earth, in a news release.
The original version of this article can be viewed here.
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