In a throwback to a World War I-era program, the Student Union has adopted the district-wide Meatless Mondays initiative. Since Oct. 6, exclusively vegetarian dishes are served on Mondays.
According to Pine View’s cafeteria manager, Mary Jane Bruno, the program is scheduled to continue for the entire school year. Only minor changes have been made to the lunch menu to accommodate Meatless Mondays, including the introduction of several new à la carte items.
“Overall, I am excited to test it out and see how everyone reacts,” Bruno said. “This new option is a great opportunity for kids to try new things.” Meatless Mondays has not caused any noticeable decrease in sales since its introduction, Bruno noted.
Meatless Mondays began as a government program to manage low meat supplies during World War I. While it ended after the war, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health revived the initiative in 2003 to promote healthy eating. District schools adopted the program due to its health-oriented message.
Students and teachers provided positive feedback with regard to Meatless Mondays. Ninth-grader Rehanna Permanand supports the change. “It’s a great opportunity to explore and even carry out a different lifestyle,” Permanand said.
Spanish teacher William Mancera approves of the policy’s message to students. “I have not eaten in the cafeteria for the past two years, but I do believe this [Meatless Mondays] will benefit student health,” Mancera said.
Community feedback has been positive as well, with support coming from The Humane Society.
“This new option is a great opportunity for kids to try new things,” Bruno said.