Get Vegetarian Food in Schools Across the Country October 7, 2008

Posted by Marta at October 7, 2008 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 24 ) | TrackBack

Do you like to eat? Do you wish your school had more vegetarian food? Or just better food in general? Read on—this is really important.

In the new year, the USDA will be reviewing the Child Nutrition Act, which, amongst other things, covers the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The USDA is accepting comments on how to revise the program until October 15th—um, more vegetarian food, most definitely—so please write today!

To send a message, either use this form, or send an an e-mail to CNDProposal@fns.usda.gov.

Here's a few things to remember when writing your e-mail:

• Be polite. Being mean about the lack of vegetarian options your school has won't help. Besides, you're too nice to be mean.
• Explain that you care about your health, the environment, and animals, and vegetarian food supports all of those things. Not to mention that everyone deserves to be accomodated regarding their ethical, religious, and dietary preferences.
• List some options of what you'd like to see added. Bean and rice burritos, soy hot dogs, veggie burgers, and veggie chicken nuggets are all a good start. Go here for more ideas.
• Mention your school specifically and how much you and your classmates would love vegetarian options!
• Ask for soymilk as an alternative to dairy milk. It's great for vegans, those who are lactose-intolerant, and soy enthusiasts!
• Be sure to say thanks for taking your thoughts into consideration.

When you send your e-mail, either BCC StreetTeam@peta2.com or copy and paste what you wrote in an e-mail to us, and we'll give you 500 points for writing.

It is so, so important for every single one of you to write to the USDA and ask them to include vegetarian and vegan meals in the National School Lunch Program. And please, have your parents write in, too. The more people that write in, the better. Change happens when people speak up (or in this case, write in)—the Child Nutrition Act is only reviewed every four years, so let's do something now!

Want more ways to get vegan options in your school's cafeteria? Check this out! What vegan options are you going to ask for in your e-mail?

♥ Marta