Transcript:
At lots of schools, chicken nuggets, burgers, and pizza are what’s for lunch. And Yandel Ramirez, a high school senior in the Bronx, says it’s high time to rethink that menu.
Ramirez: “This is not healthy. We need to show students that there is an alternative choice that they could have.”
Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables is good for kids’ health and for the climate. Research shows that producing meat and dairy creates a lot of heat-trapping carbon pollution.
So as part of a group called the Plant-Powered Youth Steering Committee, he’s pushing for more plant-based foods in schools.
This past summer, he and other teens from across the U.S. went to Washington, D.C., and met with elected officials and members of the USDA.
Ramirez: “We talked about establishing a minimum fiber requirement in school meals, ensure plant-based meal options like beans, peas, and lentils are offered on a daily basis.”
He says providing these choices at school is especially important for kids who otherwise might rarely eat them.
Ramirez: “If you offer these options to kids when they’re younger, they will probably have a greater chance of actually, you know, pursuing a healthier route.”
For their bodies and for the climate.
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media
