A vegetarian school lunch is probably a pretty hard thing for most of us to imagine, if we’re thinking back to our days in school, but these days nutrition is thought of much differently and satisfying meatless meals are on the menu. That is why peta2, the youth animal rights organization and “child” of the infamous PETA, named the top 5 vegetarian-friendly schools in Canada and also rated the top 5 public and 5 private schools in the USA.
According to PETA, “Going vegan is the single best thing that you can do to protect your health, animals, and the environment.” I can’t say I agree (I’m a firm believer in nutrition through a properly-balanced diet), but I do appreciate the need to have vegetarian items on the menu, and to be not just conscious of but proactive about our children’s health and nutrition.
And seeing as I remember my cafeteria offering food so good it inspired me to pack my own lunch every day, I must admit that my first thought of vegetarian offerings at school cafeterias was a pretty bleak image. But then I read the list of winners and what peta2 had to say about their menus, and I kind of wished I could go back to school.
The top-rated schools in Canada are Branksome Hall, Elmwood School, Moscrop Secondary, St. Michael’s University School and Trafalgar Castle School. They’re by no means the only schools offering vegetarian and/or healthy school lunches, but peta2 rated them tops for some of their specific menu items.
“My mouth is watering,” writes Pulin Modi from peta2, about Branksome Hall, “as I think about the school’s sweet and sour vegetarian meatballs, marinated black-bean tofu, and vegetarian chili.”
Interesting uses of tofu, such as nuggets or kabobs, can be found at several of the schools and Elmwood School is proud to offer chickpea whole-wheat pasta. St. Michael’s has long offered soy milk for students, but also has a penchant for vegetarian bacon and hot dogs and sometimes has ratatouille, which I definitely didn’t have until after I was done with school cafeterias!
Modi summed it up well for Moscrop Secondary: “Thai noodle salad? Veggie burgers? Vegetable spring rolls? Check. Check. Check. Sweet!” I would have to agree.
It’s safe to say that rubbery pizza, fries and greasy burgers are a thing of school lunches past. Now pass me the hummus!
