New York schools would be required to provide plant-based options under new bill

A bill has been introduced in New York that would require public schools in the state to provide a plant-based meal or snack alternative to a student if they or their guardians request one.

The plant-based option would have to be provided to the student at no additional cost, and schools would be required to share that a plant-based option is available on their menus.

A number of schools throughout the country have already been working on increasing their plant-based offerings. Richfield Public Schools in Minnesota, for example, has signed on to the Forward Food Pledge and aims to increase the plant-based dishes on its menu each year through 2024.