Who says vegetarianism is dead? Last week Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer proposed that NY public schools institute a "Meatless Monday" program, by which students would start their week with spinach and green beans, foregoing bacon strips and chicken wings. “The way to get to kids is to raise the flag: ‘Give up meat one day a week. I’m not going to have Burger King or McDonald’s for one day,’” said Stringer, who edited the "Go Green East Harlem Cookbook." “You’ve got to reach the next generation of New Yorkers early.”
According to City Room, the aim of the program isn't to eliminate meat or promote vegetarianism—it's about being healthy. Stringer says meatless meals are generally lower in saturated fat, which is important since one in five NY kindergarten students is considered obese, and therefore at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, asthma and depression. To top off the list of advantages, vegetarian meals cost less to make.
In Baltimore, where some schools adopted the program this year, Meatless Monday offerings like eggplant parmesan and black bean nachos have proved as popular as the much-coveted vegetarian option on airplanes. “There’s not a culture on the planet that doesn’t have vegetarian offerings,” said Tony Geraci, a city food and nutrition services director. “This is not rocket science stuff. You just have to remember to make it taste good.”
