It’s no secret, public school districts across the country have undergone many changes regarding school lunch. Would school districts be willing to make an additional change to school lunch? Imagine school lunches going vegetarian. The effects of this decision would benefit both students and tax payers’ pockets.

There are already vegetarian meals in our school system such as pizza and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. However these meals aren’t the healthiest of choices.  “Plant-based diets are getting more press for their health benefits, and that seems to be trickling down to our teens when they make their dietary choices,” writes Andrea N. Giancoli, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. She continues, “A well-balanced plant-based diet can help ward off heart disease, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure.”

Another reason why schools should consider vegetarianism in school lunches is to meet the needs of both vegetarian and/or religious students. There are many vegetarian teenagers, particularly because of the inhuman acts against animals that are bred to become food. Many are also vegetarian because of their religious beliefs derived from their doctrine.

Finally, schools should consider vegetarian based meals because it will save tax payers’ money. Ten percent of the money spent of food in an American household is on meat. Eliminating this cost would save money for schools and direct it to different departments that are lacking funds or to healthier vegetarian choices like fruits and vegetables.

Schaeffer, Juliann. “What’s for Lunch? Schools Bring Vegetarian Options to the Table.” What’s for Lunch? Schools Bring Vegetarian Options to the Table. Today’s Dietitian, 1 Apr. 2008. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.

“Why Go Veg?” Vegetarian Times. The Vegetarian Times. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.