9 million children are food insecure in the United States. For some students, school lunches are their ONLY MEAL for the day. But right now, healthy plant-based options are scarce on many school lunch menus and some students report being left with nothing but an apple due to limited options!

Every child should have the right to choose healthy meals based on their personal diet. Healthier foods reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. But many students are struggling to find healthy, culturally relevant options that meet their dietary needs. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering new nutrition standards that could increase healthy, plant-based options for our students, but we’re falling short of our signature goal to help approve these healthy food standards! Please, Friend, demand the USDA support healthy school meals and give children the nutrition they need to grow and learn by 11:59pm TONIGHT!

Food production contributes to more than one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Compared to meals that depend on meat coming from factory farms, plant-based meals produce significantly fewer emissions and are healthier for the planet. With more than 7 BILLION meals served annually in American schools, more plant-based meals would have a major impact to curb climate change. 

Healthy school meal standards are about students’ futures. We all want students to succeed, but to do so they need healthy, sustainable meals that secure their ability to learn and fight for a safer planet. There are just a FEW DAYS LEFT to give input to the USDA. We need 34 more people from your area to take immediate action and secure healthier meals for students! Act now!

Standing with you,
Chloë Waterman
Climate-friendly food senior program manager,
Friends of the Earth