Getting Vegetarian Meals in School?

Question

Well, I'm a vegetarian, and it's getting sickening having to only eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch at school because no one as requested vegetarian meals. My principal isn't really open to new things such as especially changing the lunch menu for 1 person (as in me). I really wish that the school would serve meat-free meals often with regard for those vegetarians. I don't think it's fair that while the lunch-ladies serve meat while all I can eat is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while other non-vegetarian students can enjoy their more than boring lunches. I need suggestions on how to convince my principal to serve vegetarian meals at lunch and I have an idea. I round up facts about being a vegetarian, such as the benefits and why it isn't fair that I am stuck with the same lunch everyday. Does anyone have any other ideas? I need some by Monday when I go back. Thanks a bunch!

Answer 1

I think I may have a better idea?

Why don't you poll rather than petition? Take a poll of people at your school to see how many vegeterians there are. If, after doing the math, you find that there are 10% you would be asking for 1 out of every 10 meals, etc. (You are probably going to find that it is more like 5%, so you would be asking for 1 in 20 meals. I know it won't seem like much, but that is fair AND it is a start!!)

This would show your principal that you are willing to "do your homework" and present him/her with some factual information without being preachy.

I wouldn't present him with "facts" about the vegeterian lifestyle because: 1. humans ARE omivours; that is the reason we have canine teeth (for the ripping and shredding of meat) and 2. because that is not going to convince him/her that only one person should have a lunch "catered" for them.

Also, the kitchen is not going to have to make any huge changes (as another person suggested). Do they not make vegetables now? In fact, I would ask the lunch lady in charge for suggestions of meals that might be prepared on those days.

Also, remember, that if this is a public school, the cafeteria has federally mandated criteria that every lunch served must meet. But, with the help of the "lunch-lady in charge" you could come up with menu ideas that would meet with the federal criteria.

I think that after this "level-headed" approach, your principal will be hard-pressed to find a reason that this could not be accomplished.

Good Luck my fine young friend!!!

Answer 2

Not that long ago, Jamie Oliver spent about a year trying to get changes made to school lunch programs in the UK. And yes, it was made into a TV series - "Back to School". FInd the DVD's and ask your principal to watch them.

If anything will be effective, it will be that series instead of anything and everything that your are trying to do on your own. This is not to discredit you and your efforts. It's just that sometimes people need to get this information from someone with credentials that they know, people who then are viewed as authorities on a particular subject.

Keep fighting the good fight. In the meantime, if you live at home, brown bag it. There are many more types of lunches available to you than just sandwiches of any type. Buy a wide-mouth thermos and you can use it to take soups or stews for lunch. That's just a place to start. You could also take salads of any type (pack the dressing separately) and keep thm cool by freezing drinking boxes of fruit juice and using them as ice packs. By lunch time. they'll be thawed but still cold, and your salad will still be fresh.

You're gong to be eating the most interesting lunches in the whole school when you do this. Expect to be asked all kinds of questions by the other students as well as teachers and other staff members.

Answer 3

i posted a question about this some time back at the begning of the school year.

even though, my effort didn't fall through as i had carfully planed i support you.

write an essay or two about why vegie dishes should be served. but don't say that all meat should be shun away. that's a big NO NO. get a petion and get students who agree there should be more vegies on the lunch menu to sign it. get as many to sign it, wither they are vegie or not, i'm sure they won't mind more vegie selections. get a teacher to support you. more htne one teacher would be great. aproch the princeapal in a calm, mature manner. and just state what you have on your mind. if he/she refuses go to the cafetriea and talk to the lunch ladies/men about your concern. then maybe, if they agree, they will go up the principal themselves.

good luck, and keep strong!!! (i know how it feels eating a peanutbutter sandwich day after day after day after day after day)

Answer 4

Most schools do not have vegetarian alternatives, if they do, they don't say its vegetarian or vegan. This can possibly be solved. For my expository writing honors class I wrote A letter to my school district's superintendent, explaining the situation, and describing the benefits of a vegan meal. My teacher said that this often works, many schools are now starting to provide vegan and vegetarian meals. I know how you feel, I'm a vegan, and have to starve most of the time, except when I go home for lunch.

Answer 5

Hi - I can provide you with a quick confetti bean salad that I've reproduced from one made by my local health food store. This is what I've come up with:

2 cans garbanzo beans - drained
1 can black beans - drained
baby organic carrots - thinly sliced
some red or yellow onion, minced
some celery, minced
1/2 tsp. garlic (in olive oil - jar)
1/2 tsp. approx. organic dried basil
1/2 tsp. approx. organic dried parsley
some sea salt
some fresh ground tri-colored pepper

Mix that all up in a bowl. When you are ready to serve (or pack for lunch), add some Organicville Vinagrette (just a little so the beans don't get soggy) - I like the Dried Tomato & Garlic version.

You can pack that in a lunch box with a cold pack and it is quite good!

You can try to convince the school district that many ethnic peoples are desiring vegetarian meal options - airlines even offer this now. They need to get with the program - so use the "diversity" angle.

Answer 6

If your principal isn't sympathetic to your needs, you could always try lobbying the school board. Be prepared to explain why you feel the way you do about eating meat in a calm and logical fashion, have a list of simple alternatives to the standard school lunch fare that would fit your diet and most of all be respectful of those who don't share your beliefs.

If that doesn't work, have your parents help you find a good lawyer. If you're lucky, you might get your lunches and make the PETA website, to boot 8)

Answer 7

Schools should be required to do this. I'm a college student & it's difficult to find anything good if I don't bring something myself. Also, I know some elementary-age vegetarians who *do* get their lunches & snacks stolen & other kids often want to partake in their "twigs & bark." Like a lot of kids, these young vegetarians are somewhat "picky" & their parents make sure that their lunch boxes are packed with meatless delights.

Answer 8

The majority rules so unless you can come up with others that want the same thing, I don't think you will have much luck. Work on that and in the mean time, bring your own lunch.

Answer 9

your idea is awesome! i aggree. there's lots of kids at my school that are vegetarians and there's meat in everything at lunch. i say that you should get your parents involved and you should make notes and take charts of people in your school and even in your neighborhood that are vegetarians and show that to your principal. take something like a petition.

i hope that i helped! good luck and best wishes!

Answer 10

Although I feel some sympathy for you, I can't see why the entire cafeteria should be re-tooled to provide vegetarian meals for one.

THAT is not fair.

Pack your own lunches; surely, you have enough creativity to come up with something besides PB&J?

This is one of those cases where you have to solve your own problem, and not petition for others to solve it for you.