Plant-Based Nutrition

Kids spiral cutting apples.

We offer plant-based snacks, side dishes and drinks because it’s a simple way to help children eat less processed food.

This plant-based approach applies to our entire school. We choose to use only non-animal products in our meals and in our environment.

Plant-based foods can help us make a smaller impact on the environment around us, even if it’s just for one meal and one snack a day at school. Every little choice can add up to making a difference in our world!

Teaching healthy eating at an early age can have a positive effect on a child’s eating habits for the rest of their life!

Math and Science Skills

When we bake and make snacks, the children learn about:

  • counting
  • filling and dumping (spatial relations)
  • measuring
  • fractions
  • cause and effect
  • chemical reactions (why baking soda and vinegar make a cake rise, etc)
  • using deductive reasoning to observe, investigate, and predict
  • reading and following a recipe
  • social interactions
  • taking turns or offering to help a friend

What We Provide for Meals

We provide a complete snack in the morning which includes a protein, a carb, a fruit and water. Snack options may include items like fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, nuts, nut butters, bread and crackers. We also bake fresh snacks at school on a regular basis such as muffins, scones, bread and more!

At lunch we provide a fruit, two vegetables and the choice of water or plant-based milk.

We use all organic foods whenever possible and strive to provide healthy and filling choices for our children.

What Parents Provide for Meals

Parents are asked to provide the main dish for their child at lunch. We ask that this option be one that is plant-based or vegetarian (meaning it can contain dairy or eggs). We are able to warm up lunches for the children, and we always transfer food into microwave-safe glass or ceramic containers.

Here are some fun and easy main dish ideas!
  • peanut butter and jelly sandwich
  • noodles and sauce
  • tofu, veggies and rice
  • leftovers from last night’s dinner
  • macaroni and cheese
  • hummus and carrots, bread or chips
  • burritos
  • rice and seaweed (wrapped, etc)
  • cheese
  • hard boiled eggs
  • edamame
  • popcorn
  • cereal
  • meat substitutes
  • soup
  • yogurt
  • quesadillas
  • oatmeal

Eating Plant-Based Makes a Difference

Eating just one plant-based meal a day can help the planet as well as your health.

Eating one plant-based meal a day for a year will save:

  • 194,667 gallons of water
  • 772 pounds of carbon emissions

Eating two plant-based meals a day for a year will save:

  • 389,344 gallons of water
  • 1543 pounds of carbon emissions

Eating three plant-based meals a day for a year will save:

  • 584,100 gallons of water
  • 2315 pounds of carbon emissions

Plant-Based Resources

Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of eating more plant-based meals? Below are a list of our favorite resources, and you can always reach out and talk with us about any questions you might have!