Claremont High School Academy in Kingsbury, northwest London, is one of a growing number of institutions leading by example, encouraging younger people to eat better and become more environmentally aware older people.
Yet students played a big role themselves, having voted via the school council to make the school canteen, Monty’s, meat-free at the start of the week.
The MFM team attended a staff briefing at the school and spoke to the canteen staff members who prepare food for Claremont’s 1,600 pupils, almost a thousand of whom have school dinners.
The inaugural MFM menu included Quorn and Vegetable Wraps, Aloo Gobi (potato and cauliflower curry), Tomato Pasta served with Garlic Bread, Mixed Vol-au-Vents and Vegetable Spring Rolls.
Andrew Garner, deputy catering manager of Monty’s, said it was a good way for children to start eating vegetables: “You eat with your eyes – if you see it and it looks nice, you try it!”
As well as filling their bellies, information leaflets were on hand to fill young minds, helping pupils understand why “Going meat-free one day a week can make a world of difference to your health and the environment”.
“It is an opportunity to be adventurous with our food and offer a wide range of vegetarian options for a variety of students with different palates,” said assistant headteacher Peter Georghiades.