Issue 9 | February 2022

 

Whether I’m hiking in the woods or sitting at my desk, I’m almost always thinking about food. Not just for the reports I’m writing but for the son I’m raising. Often, what I’m studying about the impact of food — and the food choices I’m trying to follow at home — doesn’t mesh with what he’s served at school.

 

Chicken nuggets, hamburgers and hot dogs remain staples in school-lunch menus across the United States. At most schools, dairy milk is the only drink option. One assessment showed 96% of California school meals are meat-based. And too often, policy and financial barriers prevent schools from offering better, plant-based choices.

 

The 7 billion meals served each year through U.S. school nutrition programs are a powerful opportunity for environmentally sensible food policies. Yet over the past five to six years, there have been major rollbacks in the progress made to improve school food. Today, meals are more meat-heavy, more sugary, more processed and less fiber-driven than they used to be. Meanwhile more children rely on school meals to relieve chronic food insecurity.

 

If we are what we eat, what does it mean for school menus to be meat-centric, bad for the planet, often unhealthy, and filled with things many children can’t eat — whether due to allergies, religion or preference?

 

The relationship between a good education, nutritious food and a healthy society has always been clear to me. It’s why, when I was a university professor, I taught courses on the politics of food. Food is at the root of our communities, our culture, our traditions, our physical health, our daily rituals, and our way of living on the planet. But all of that’s being undermined by what children are eating at school (which they’re supposed to do during increasingly short lunch periods).

 

Research has shown that what children eat affects not only their current health but the patterns that will guide their lives. And since most of the world’s people can’t digest lactose, many traditional diets areplant-based — so having more plant-based options is also an important part of building racial equity and ensuring cultural relevance. Students who don’t or can’t eat animal products because of their health, culture, religion or personal beliefs should have the right to a healthy, plant-based meal at school.

 

School meals are one area where better policy can make a real difference in children’s lives and our larger food systems. For example, most school meals are purchased from major food service providers that buy in bulk and provide food for other types of institutions. Changing policies and procurement at these companies would have a massive impact on market demand, the supply chain, modes of production, and a cultural shift to climate-friendly food.

 

Government policy can also make it easier for schools to serve climate-friendly school food. That’s why the Center for Biological Diversity is supporting the Healthy Future Students and Earth Act, a pilot grant program to provide the help school districts need — staff training, equipment, procurement and a diverse supply chain — to serve delicious, healthy, fair, climate-friendly and plant-based meals.

 

But don’t just take our word for it: Many of my colleagues’ children wanted to speak up in support of this legislation. Hear what they have to say in our coalition video.

 

If that doesn’t convince you, maybe Billie Eilish will. This week the Grammy Award–winning recording artist spoke at a Capitol Hill briefing to declare her support for the bill.  

 

You can join the movement too. Take action now by asking your member of Congress to support the Healthy Future Students and Earth Act.

 

Check out our School Food webpage at TakeExtinctionOffYourPlate.org.

 

Until next month, stay in touch by writing me at EarthFriendlyDiet@BiologicalDiversity.org.

 

For the wild,

 

Jennifer Molidor, Senior Food Campaigner

Population and Sustainability Program

Center for Biological Diversity

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Photo of school lunch via Canva.

Center for Biological Diversity
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