Veggie week
What is it? (short summary)
At many schools one is aware of the benefits of a plant-based diet, but very few serve food which is largely vegetarian (or in line with e.g. the planetary health diet). A complete transformation of the menu might seem a project too large, and might provoke resistance. A simple way of starting a transformation is to have a veggie week. In advance, the students are asked to propose vegetarian dishes they would love to eat. Based on the students wishlist, a menu for the week is set up in cooperation with the kitchen/the caterer. It’s just one week, but it opens up for evaluation and discussion and can pave the way for a larger transformation of diets.
It’s suited for: (age/region/context)
All ages (both elementary and high school)
Schools that want to start working for more sustainable diets
In practice it could look like this: (pictures, sequence)
Vegetarian tacos are on the wishlist; quote from the evaluation; food council at Tyska Skolan Stockholm, Sweden
That’s what you need: (material/funds/preparation)
- A food council or similar board (with students, teachers, parents, kitchen staff representatives)
- Kitchen / caterer willing to cooperate for the realization of the veggie week
That’s why you should do it (purpose/benefits)
The veggie week promotes cooperation around food issues
Tasting plant-based food is better than debating about it!
It can foster environmental consciousness and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
You should also consider (links to resources, ideas for adaptation)
w Label it “Planetary health week” or similar, to stress the significance for both planet and human health
w Involve the students in the preparation of vegetarian / plant-based dishes in this week
w The website One Meal a Day (OMD) for the planet – holds lots of information & educational resources
Author: Tim Björstrand, 2022
Ideas on how to adapt this good practice?
Got inspiration for new food learning activties?
Take it to the playground!