Meat-Free Monday Launch

Barham Primary School has gone meatless – at least on Mondays! On Monday, 2 November, the PETA Foundation and Barham teamed up to launch Meat-Free Monday, a global citizenship project aimed at improving children's health, saving animals, helping the environment and combating global poverty. The project teaches pupils how to choose healthy meals that are rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

At 12:15 pm, the first Meat-Free Monday lunch was served in Barham's school hall. On the menu, designed by ISS Caterhouse, were vegetarian sausages and mash; sweet potato and lentil curry; baked beans, leeks and peppers and fresh fruit salad. This was in addition to the school's regular salad bar, bread, crackers, fruit and water. Pupils who had a packed lunch were also encouraged to go vegetarian for a day.

During lunch, the children were positive and eager to talk about the project. Pupils and staff alike appeared to be enjoying the food. At 1:15, the school council went back to their classes and surveyed their peers. Fifteen classes returned surveys; 128 pupils answered that they had eaten the school lunch. Of these, almost 100 chose the vegetarian sausages. One hundred eight pupils said they liked their lunch, 15 didn't like their lunch and five had mixed opinions. Seventy-four children tried something new at lunch. The majority of children were happy that the school was participating in Meat-Free Monday, but there were some who felt meat should still be an option. More than one class suggested that chapattis, vegetable pizza, tortillas, samosas, soup and pasta be served on future Meat-Free Mondays.

Later on, guests, members of the school council and selected pupils gathered in the school hall. Headteacher Karen Giles welcomed everyone and explained that Barham Primary School was getting involved in the project to encourage healthy eating. PETA Foundation education manager Suzanne Barnard spoke about the different ethical and health reasons for reducing meat consumption or going vegan, and school council members reported feedback from the day's lunch. Vegan reggae artist Macka B then livened up the proceedings by asking the children if they wanted to hear what he eats. Met with cheers, he sang "Wha Me Eat", which covers the huge variety of food available in a vegan diet. Guests were then invited to sample food from the ISS Caterhouse's Meat-Free Monday menu (which rotates on a three-week basis), faux-meat products from Fry's as well as healthy chocolate cakes provided by Saf Restaurant and Bar. People were surprised to hear the cakes were made from tofu, spirulina and raw chocolate! Parents joined the proceedings while Macka B went to the school assembly to perform the song once more.

Meat-Free Monday menu options for weeks two and three include roasted-vegetable and chickpea couscous, Quorn pasta bolognese, jacket potatoes with baked beans, farmhouse mixed vegetables, sweet corn, shepherdess pie, diced carrots and swede, garden peas, fruity crumble and baked bananas.

Meat-Free-Monday Launch
Meat-Free-Monday Launch
Meat-Free-Monday Launch
Meat-Free-Monday Launch
Meat-Free-Monday Launch
Meat-Free-Monday Launch
Meat-Free-Monday Launch
Meat-Free-Monday Launch
Meat-Free-Monday Launch