Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular among younger generations. A BBC survey revealed that 21% of children are already vegan or vegetarian, with 15% wanting to go vegan and 1 in 5 aspiring to be vegetarian. This shift highlights the opportunity for school catering to adapt to evolving preferences by offering more plant-based options.
Why schools are making the change
Health & Well-being – nourishing Pupils
Plant-based diets are full of goodness. They are packed with dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, and healthy proteins, offering essential nutrition. Fibre is important for gut health and overall well-being. By introducing more fruits, vegetables, and pulses into school meals, schools can help support pupil well-being and ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need to thrive.
Food for everyone
Offering more vegan and vegetarian options in school catering creates an environment where everyone feels welcome. These meals not only cater to those choosing plant-based diets but also support pupils with dietary needs or food allergies, ensuring no one has to miss out on delicious, nourishing meals.
Sustainability
Plant-based diets also offer a significant way to protect the planet. By cutting emissions, reducing water pollution, and preserving natural habitats, plant-based ingredients have a much smaller environmental footprint. With climate change at the forefront of the concerns of younger generations, serving more sustainable meals offers a practical opportunity for them to contribute to a healthier planet.
Opportunities for Schools and Caterers
Creative menu design
Opting for plant-based alternatives instead of conventional meat dishes opens up a world of possibilities. With such incredible versatility, there’s ample opportunity to get creative and craft exciting, nutritious meals.
Partnerships
Building strong relationships with local suppliers, producers, organisations, and councils creates a future-proof network. These connections help make healthier, more sustainable choices for school catering.
Pupil engagement
Interactive events, workshops, and programmes are great ways to involve pupils and parents. They spark curiosity and encourage greater participation in school activities while promoting a deeper understanding of plant-based diets.
Practical tips to get started
Tailor Current Menu options
Take a closer look at your current meal options to find opportunities for plant-based substitutions. Partnering with a school catering company that shares your goals can bring innovative solutions to the table.
Start small
Introduce a single plant-based dish or a no-meat day. Starting small ensures consistency and helps build confidence in delivering delicious, plant-based meals.
Invest in training
Provide your kitchen team with the expertise and understanding needed to create tasty, balanced menus. Training in nutrition and vegan or vegetarian meal preparation ensures staff can deliver high-quality meals every time.
Strategic sourcing
Work closely with trusted suppliers to source cost-effective, high-quality ingredients, supporting local farms, and prioritising seasonal produce.
Reinforcing plant-based nutrition with AiP menus
Partnering with sustainable school catering companies passionate about plant-based nutrition can transform school meals into inclusive, balanced, and enjoyable options for all pupils. Schools are perfectly placed to encourage and support this shift.
At AiP, we take pride in creating healthy, sustainable meals for schools. Our menus are filled with nutritious and flavourful plant-based dishes, crafted using locally sourced, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients. Discover how our catering solutions and award-winning digital platform can make a difference in your school.