Scrap law making schools serve meat, urges Labour donor

[Nearly Sane]

Interesting one, not convinced that the law as it is currently formulated makes as much sense as it once did, but choice will remain important.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crejwrypryyo

[jeremyp]

He told a fringe meeting at Labour's conference that his company, Devil's Kitchen, already supplies vegan food to "one in four" primary schools.

Not sure his motives are completely pure.

IMO, the priority has to be the health of the children. I think it's harder to make food that's appealing if you are restricted to vegan options. That said, meat can be expensive and a health risk if eaten too frequently.

[ProfessorDavey]

Interesting one, not convinced that the law as it is currently formulated makes as much sense as it once did, but choice will remain important.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crejwrypryyo

I don't agree with his view. I think it is important that schools provide a wide range of healthy options that also supports the cultural diversity within the families of the children. So not to serve vegetarian, vegan, halal options seems wrong to me. But likewise to take what would be a 'political' position that veganism is preferred (as would be the case if meat and dairy were banned) also seems wrong to me. And counter-productive as it would potentially mean more children bringing in unhealthy food or sneaking out to buy it.

The biggest issue to me is the cost - effectively school caterers need to be able to provide the food pegged to the costs that are given to support free school meals. And that is tiny. And that is a pretty big ask and I'm actually impressed at what school catering contractors are able to do with such restricted budgets.

[SteveH]

Not sure his motives are completely pure.

IMO, the priority has to be the health of the children. I think it's harder to make food that's appealing if you are restricted to vegan options. That said, meat can be expensive and a health risk if eaten too frequently.

He didn't say anything about banning meat and dairy, just making them optional, not compulsory, so they would not be "restricted to vegan options".

[ProfessorDavey]

He didn't say anything about banning meat and dairy, just making them optional, not compulsory, so they would not be "restricted to vegan options".

Not exactly - he talks about schools eliminating meat and dairy altogether:

'But he added: "There are schools which want to go further. They don't want meat and dairy on the menu perhaps every day of the week or even at all.'

But the current law doesn't require meat to be on the menu every day, just that it must be available at least three days. But of course meat being available doesn't compel a student to choose it as there will be other options and that will certainly include vegetarian options.

His agenda is clear - he wants to eliminate meat and dairy - perhaps step by step, but that is pretty clearly his objective.

[ProfessorDavey]

And I'd also argue with his claim that a vegan diet is necessarily more healthy. Just in the news today:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/food-drink/health-experts-issue-urgent-warning-33695065