Friday marks a big change in lunch menus around New York City public schools as it's the first ever Vegan Friday.
Mayor Eric Adams announced a plant-based initiative which he says will improve the quality of life for thousands of New York City students. The question on everyone's mind is— what's on the menu?
Following the success of Meatless Mondays and Fridays, the Department of Education is expanding access to healthy food for all New York City public school students through this health focused initiative, according to NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks.
Today's school lunch menu is set to include dishes like vegan veggie tacos served with salsa, seasoned broccoli, and a crispy or soft tortilla, according to the DOE. Monthly menus will be made available on the DOE’s website for curious parents and students. Mayor Adams, who follows a vegan diet himself, credits his plant-based diet to reversing his diabetes diagnosis.
Non-vegan options are already available to students daily, according to the DOE. Under federal USDA guidelines, milk is actually required to be served with each meal so those students who want the option will have it, Vegan Friday or not.