Passionate Youth Traveled to Capitol Hill to Advocate for Plant-Based School Meal Options
14 high school and college students called on policymakers to provide greater choices for healthy school foodWASHINGTON – This week, 14 student leaders from 11 states traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the Plant Powered Youth Steering Committee to meet with members of Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Their message was clear: students need – and deserve – daily access to nutritious and delicious plant-based meals in K-12 schools.
Most of the students currently rely or have relied on free and reduced-price school meals. Many require plant-based options for health, religious, ethical, or environmental reasons, yet still face a stark lack of accessible and culturally relevant food choices in school cafeterias – particularly in schools serving low-income communities.
Over the past several months, the students have been meeting with school food service professionals, organizing campaigns in their schools, and building momentum for national policies that prioritize health, equity and sustainability. Their D.C. trip marks a critical step in elevating youth voices in federal food policy.
During their meetings, students advocated for several key pieces of legislation, including the Healthy Future Students and Earth Act, the FISCAL Act and the EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act. They called on USDA officials to:
- Establish a minimum fiber requirement in school meals
- Ensure plant-based options like beans, peas and lentils are available daily
- Phase out processed meats from school menus; and
- Create a Youth Steering Council to help guide USDA policies that affect school nutrition
Through powerful personal testimony, they highlighted how expanding access to plant-based meals can help address food insecurity, improve student health and reduce the environmental impact of school food.
“Looking back on my experience in kindergarten through high school so far, I’ve seen pizza, chicken nuggets, and hamburgers on the menu over and over. These foods not only put our health at risk but also change our mindset about which foods are deemed “acceptable” to eat. Because of food apartheid and the way our communities are flooded with fast food, how are we supposed to learn what’s actually good for us when those are the only options we are constantly given?” –Yandel Ramirez, an 18-year-old incoming senior at International Baccalaureate World School in the Bronx
“My passion for advocating for more plant-based foods stems from my sister and I having severe allergies to many animal products, forcing us to choose between our health and our appetite. Sadly, this experience is not unique to us. Plant-based options in all schools will promote an allergy-friendly environment, making school lunch nutritionally inclusive. You shouldn’t have to choose between your health and your lunch, one should have access to a HEALTHY LUNCH.” – Ava Nnochiri, a 16-year-old high school student from Vermont
“During my time in K–12, the school food options were limited: I can’t remember a single day when there was a real, nutritious, plant-based meal on the menu. Our school food system needs to change. As a public health major, I’ve learned how deeply food access is connected to long-term health outcomes and social equity. I am particularly passionate about advocating for the EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act, which aims to ensure USDA’s food purchases are equitable and sustainable. Healthy, inclusive food should not be a privilege but a basic right for every student in every school.” – Chloe Pendergrast, a 21-year-old college student at Mercer University in Georgia
“Being a new vegan in my freshman year of high school, I struggled to access inclusive and nutritious food at my public school. This usually left me hungry in classes and made me realize that I wanted to see a change in my school’s food. I want to make a positive impact on our school’s breakfasts and lunches because everyone deserves nutritious and accessible school food.” – Adelina Toufanpur, an 18-year-old rising freshman at University of California Santa Cruz
“I have been in the New York City public school system for most of my life and relied on school meals due to economic disadvantages. But school meals often made me sick. This issue worsened as I got older, as the fruits and vegetables often became moldy. I longed for more options and healthier meals, yet my choices were limited. Many students like me rely on school meals and deserve access to nutritious and delicious options.” – Emily Giron, a 17-year-old high school student at Beacon High School in New York
“Advocating for plant-based, climate-friendly options in K-12 schools is dear to my heart because of the urgent environmental impact of our food system. Growing up, I did not have the privilege of being able to pack lunch, but I still explored preparing affordable, plant-based meals inspired by my culture, like peanut sesame noodles and mapo tofu. Knowing what’s possible even with my limited resources fuels my belief that schools should also make the effort to offer plant-based options. – Emily Lin, a 17-year-old rising high school senior based in California
“I believe a more sustainable, equitable, and nourishing food system can improve the lives of millions of students across America. As a public high school student, I’ve seen how limited plant-based options are for students affected by food apartheid who rely on school meals and choose plant-based diets for health, religious, ethical, or climate reasons. Years of witnessing this inspired me to become an advocate for greater access to plant-based food in schools.” – Neel Gonugunta, a 17-year-old rising high school senior at Marshfield High School in Wisconsin
“I want to make a change in our schools. As a high school student, I have witnessed firsthand the issues within our school food systems. During lunch, it is too common to see plastic-wrapped, moldy, or unsavory food. This leads to high food waste and a large carbon footprint. I am so glad to be able to take a stand for plant-based foods in schools that promote health, equity, and a greener planet!” – Nkechinyere Okwuwasi, a 16-year-old student at City High/Middle School in Michigan
“I struggled to eat full meals that met my dietary needs while in public schools, and I have met others who shared the same struggles as I did. It feels great to work together to achieve something that we know as a collective, through our experiences, is necessary for our schools.” – Quincy Alberhasky, a 19-year-old college student at Brown University
“Growing up, my family prioritized plant-based meals out of respect for animals and the environment. When school lunches became more accessible during COVID, I realized how limited the options were for students like me. I’m going to D.C. to help make plant-based meals a normal, inclusive choice in schools, so no student has to choose between their values and a nutritious lunch.” – Sohan Nelakudity, a 17-year-old rising high school senior at Pomperaug High School
“I started a sustainable food campaign at my school and have since connected with many other passionate students trying to bring plant-based meals to their schools. I look forward to advocating for the environment and for students, whether it’s at a local, state, or federal level.” – Vienna Dschung, a 17-year-old upcoming high school senior at Weston High School
“I believe everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and fed. No one should feel invisible in the lunch line, and everyone should have access to plant-based options. Too many students are stuck choosing between their religious, ethical, or environmental beliefs and eating a decent meal.” – Joshua Thomas, a 14-year-old upcoming high school sophomore in Maryland
“As a recent high school graduate, I believe that every student deserves access to healthy, nourishing food that fuels our bodies and minds. I am excited to travel to D.C. to advocate for policies that promote plant-based meals in schools. I am particularly passionate about increasing funding for healthy school lunches and supporting local farmers who provide sustainable food sources.” – Nicolette Josue, a 19-year-old student at Morehead State University
“Before schools closed, I ate lunch in the cafeteria almost every day. During the pandemic, I chose to go plant based after learning how factory farming harms animals and the environment. When I returned to school, the cafeteria still didn’t offer plant based or dairy free meals, so I had to bring food from home. But many students can’t do that and rely on school meals to get through the day. Schools should serve plant based meals so all students can eat food that matches their values, regardless of their circumstances.” – Tanay Anantasagar, a 17-year-old high school student in Houston
Communications contact: Sam Nurick, [email protected]