STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — I hope your kids like vegetables.
Every Friday through the end of the school year, New York City’s public schools will be serving exclusively vegan meals in an effort to bolster student health, according to a New York Post report.
Vegan diets do not allow for the consumption of meat or dairy products, meaning longtime staples of the schools’ lunch menus — like pizza, mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders — will no longer be served on Fridays.
These items have been replaced with healthier options, like veggie tacos, chickpeas and rice bowls, according to NYC School’s February lunch menu.
The city had already been offering meat-less, vegetarian-only options on Mondays and Fridays, but now Friday menus will go fully vegan, with dairy also restricted, according to the report.
“Plant-based options in schools means healthy eating and healthy living, and improving the quality of life for thousands of New York City students,” Mayor Eric Adams, a vegan himself, said in a statement.
Despite the Friday dairy ban on food, schools will continue to serve milk on Fridays, which is required by federal guidelines, according to the report.
The new initiative kicked off on Friday, with schools serving veggie tacos, seasoned broccoli and a carrot and lemon salad.
The Department of Education told the New York Post that schools will be offering “some lighter dairy products” on Fridays over the next few weeks as students adjust to the transition.
“Plant-based meals are delicious and nutritious, which is why I previously called for vegetarian and vegan options in schools,” Adams said. “I’m thrilled to see that all students will now have access to healthy foods that will prevent debilitating health conditions.”
