Lunch debate as Bay Area schools go meatless on Mondays

SAN FRANCISCO — Mondays have become meat free in hundreds of school cafeterias across the Bay Area, a move praised by animal rights activists and environmentalists and condemned by the livestock industry for pushing politics into the lunch line.

South San Francisco Unified joined the Meatless Monday movement this year, joining Oakland, West Contra Costa and several other districts that have adopted the campaign within the last few years.

District officials say it's all about improving student nutrition and drawing attention to alternative sources of protein.

The main entree at lunch doesn't have to be meat or poultry, said Linda Carrozzi, South San Francisco's director of nutritional services and a registered dietitian.

"It can be other foods that have protein," she said. "Our school lunches really do embrace healthier lifestyle changes."