Monday letters: Get meat out of school lunches

In past years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture used our nation’s schools as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities. Not surprisingly, a third of children have become overweight or obese. Their early dietary flaws become lifelong addictions, raising their risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Gradually, the tide is turning. New guidelines mandated by President Obama’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act call for doubling the servings of fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, less sodium and fat and no meat for breakfast. A recent survey found 86 percent of Americans support the guidelines.

Two-thirds of U.S. school districts now offer vegetarian options. More than 120 schools, including the entire districts of Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia and San Diego, have implemented Meatless Monday. Some schools have dropped meat altogether.

As parents, we need to work with school cafeteria managers and our own children to encourage the availability and consumption of healthy, plant-based school foods.