Plant-Based Trends in California’s School Lunches (2024)

With the climate crisis growing more severe and diet-related diseases rising among many American children, California’s schools are responding by increasing their healthy, culturally diverse, climate-friendly menu offerings. 

Friends of the Earth’s new report provides a 5-year snapshot comparing 2019 and 2023 school menu entrées served at the 25 largest school districts across the state. Our research found that:  

• The availability of plant-based lunches increased 60%, from just 7% of menu options in 2019 to 11% in 2023.  

• High schools and middle schools are leading the way, with more than half of schools (56%) offering plant-based menu options each day in 2023 compared to 36% of schools in 2019. 

• Elementary schools offering weekly plant-based options increased more than threefold, from 16% of districts in 2019 to 60% in 2023. 

• Plant-based vegan bowls and specialty entrees landed in the top 10 most frequently served entrees on school menus.  

• Despite tremendous improvements, one-quarter of districts still do not offer plant-based entrées and another quarter only offer nut butter and jelly as a plant-based option.  

• Highly processed meat items are still prevalent, representing 14% of all menu offerings.  

Download full report here 
Download introduction / executive summary here
Download key policy recommendations here
Download press release here  

Download 2023 Plant-Based Trends report here
Download 2019 State of School Lunch report here 

Friends of the Earth’s Climate-Friendly School Food Program helps school districts make the shift toward healthy, delicious, plant-forward menus. The program provides technical assistance and marketing materials, supports student and community engagement strategies, and links school districts with the resources they need in order to be successful. Friends of the Earth also partners with school districts and NGOs to advocate for state and federal policy change. For more information or to request support on implementing climate-friendly food strategies, email [email protected] or visit our webpage at www.ClimateFriendlySchoolFood.org.