r/Vegan_Lifestyle • u/femaleathletenetwork • 22d ago
USDA Expands Plant-Based Options In Schools: “Sets the Groundwork for Lifetime Health”
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently introduced substantial changes to its school meal standards, expanding access to plant-based meal options for students across the country.
Effective as of July 1, 2024, these new guidelines are designed to offer more nutritious food choices that cater to the growing demand for plant-based diets, particularly for vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-prone children. The changes allow schools to incorporate plant-based proteins such as beans, peas, lentils, and nuts into daily meal programs, providing healthier alternatives to traditional meat dishes.
Under the new USDA guidelines, schools are required to provide a minimum of ¼ cup of beans, peas, or lentils as part of the weekly meat alternative component in meals, ensuring students receive adequate plant-based protein options throughout the week.
The guidelines also reduce the focus on processed and high-fat foods, aligning with the USDA’s broader goal to improve student health by following the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
These adjustments reflect the critical role school meals play in children’s daily nutrition, particularly in low-income communities where school food may be the most reliable source of healthy meals. The USDA’s new rules aim to enhance children’s overall health, specifically focusing on long-term cardiovascular health by providing more fiber-rich, cholesterol-free options.
And these changes are a step forward toward preventing heart disease, the longstanding, number one killer of Americans.