All NYC Public Schools Joining Meatless Mondays

Great news from the Big Apple: All New York City public schools will participate in Meatless Mondays starting in the 2019-2020 school year!

The city’s decision was announced by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza, and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Meatless Monday is an international effort that continues to gain steam across the globe and across the US. The aim is to empower people to protect their health, the planet, and animals by eating more plant-based foods and leaving meat off their plates at least one day a week.

Previously, Compassion Over Killing worked with journalist and activist Jane Velez Mitchell as well as NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal to introduce a Meatless Monday Resolution before the New York City Council. And in 2017, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and 15 schools across the borough of Brooklyn signed on to participate in Meatless Mondays.

Now, that number has grown exponentially and the city-wide initiative will encompass all of New York City’s 1700 public schools.

That means one million students will be offered meat-free meals every Monday. The reasoning for the switch? Students’ health and the environment. “We’re expanding Meatless Mondays to all public schools to keep our lunch and planet green for generations to come,” said Mayor de Blasio in a statement.

In the face of climate change, this decision is certainly impactful. According to multiple recent studies, choosing a plant-based diet is one of the best ways we can individually combat climate change.

Plus, students deserve better from the food they eat every day. It’s no secret that eating more fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk for heart disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

And this important drop in meat consumption in schools also means less demand for meat products leading to animals suffering on cruel factory farms.

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