Focus: Plant-based push

It is estimated that around 3.4m people in the UK follow a plant-based diet. Whether this is to protect animal rights, help combat climate change or purely due to a dislike of meat and dairy products, there are countless reasons why a plant-based diet works for many.

But what about in schools? The government’s School Food Standards Practical Guide encourages all children to have a meat-free day each week, and to consume pulses, soya mince, tofu and other meat alternatives instead of their usual meat of choice.

Designed to help children develop healthy eating habits and ensure they have the energy and nutrients needed to get the most from their school day, the School Food Standards encourage the use of fresh, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. They also emphasise the positive impact that eating more fruit and vegetables can have on children’s health.

These recommendations do not, however, mean meat-free days at school are compulsory. But should they be? In 2019, The Soil Association called for the government to update the rules and make one meat-free day a week obligatory. The industry body argued that few schools offer healthy plant-based options that can help to tackle childhood obesity and climate change. We haven’t yet seen this come into force, but there are huge benefits to encouraging schools to embrace the meat-free model for at least one day each week.

Addressing climate change
It’s no secret that meat consumption has been linked to climate change, and many people, including environmentally-savvy students, have reduced the amount of meat they eat as a result. Greenpeace, argues that meat consumption directly impacts climate change, stating that when forests are destroyed to make way for industrial meat production, billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere, which accelerates global warming.

Implementing a meat-free day as standard in schools across the UK would help to reduce how much meat needs to be supplied. Meat Free Monday, an international campaign encouraging people to reduce their consumption for the good of their own health and the environment, argues that this is one way in which schools can reduce their carbon emissions.

While this may seem like a small step, every action has an impact. There are thousands of schools in the UK, and promoting a meat-free mindset could be the start of a ripple effect across wider communities.

Tackling childhood obesity
A meat-free diet doesn’t necessarily mean a healthier diet, but encouraging students to stay away from ultra-processed meats in favour of more fruit, vegetables and healthy meat alternatives such as pulses and lentils is a good first step to take. Official government figures from the National Child Measurement Programme show that as of February 2025, one in three children leaving primary school were overweight and one in five were living with obesity – these are worrying statistics. According to the NHS, obesity is associated with reduced life expectancy and a risk of developing various health conditions later in life, such as type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Placing emphasis on incorporating more plant-based elements into their diets is a great way to set children up with healthy eating habits for life, and promoting regular meat-free days is one way to do this. Providing them with a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans and pulses in their meals at school not only gives them the vitamins and minerals that they need to grow and function healthily, such as Vitamin C, potassium and fibre, shows that plant-based meals don’t need to be bland or boring.

Educating children about growing food    
The School Food Standards Practical Guide recommends using fresh, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients where possible. In schools that have their own gardens, children can help to grow fruits and vegetables themselves.

Getting involved in this way means the children can learn about where their food comes from, what is involved in the growing process, nutrition, sustainability and the food life cycle. Growing their own food can also help children understand seasonality and the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables they can enjoy.

Aligning this with meat-free days at school means giving children the opportunity to tie their learning into their meals, creating a generation of students who understand the value of fresh, nutritious ingredients. Knowledge is power, and giving children hands-on experience in growing can help change their approach to food, which they can then pass onto their families, friends and the wider community.

Final thoughts
Meat-free days aren’t currently compulsory in schools in the UK, but this doesn’t mean they can’t be implemented as a regular menu feature. We know that our excessive meat consumption is causing problems for both the planet and our health, but educating children about this from a young age and providing them with plant-based meals on a regular basis is a positive step and doesn’t mean restricting their meat consumption altogether.

Helping to address climate change and increase children’s consumption of fruits, vegetables and legumes, all while arming them with knowledge of food production and sustainability, has the potential to make a real difference.

You may also be interested in…