Paul McCartney Wants Meat-Free Lunches In Schools
Words by Riley Fitzgerald
Graphic by PETA
Paul McCartney has spoken out against a UK Government policy requiring schools to serve meat-only lunches.
“No one needs to eat meat,” McCartney writes in a new open letter, “so it shouldn’t be mandatory to serve it in schools.”
“It’s time to revise the School Food Standards,” the former Beatle contends, “to help the planet, spare animals, and promote healthy eating.”
UK schools are currently required to serve a dairy-based meal every day, a meat meal at least three times a week, and a portion of fish once every three weeks.
Non-dairy protein meals for vegetarians are required three times per week.
Animal rights advocacy organization PETA, Greenpeace and the Royal Society for Public Health believe the current policy is too inflexible.
Paul McCartney, who has not eaten meat since 1975, agrees.
The Beatle, alongside daughters Stella McCartney and Mary McCartney, thinks schools to be given more choice about what students eat.
And the students may just stand with them.
Research commissioned last year by Linda McCartney Foods found 7 out of 10 pupils wanted more vegetarian and vegan school meals.
“It’s possible, although challenging, to put together menus for children without animal products that provide all the essential nutrients they need to grow and be healthy,” British Nutrition Foundation spokesperson Bridget Benelam recently informed The Guardian. “There are many positive aspects of having a more plant-based diet.”
McCartney’s comment follows a statement earlier this month that his 78th birthday wish was that fans stopped eating meat.
“All I’ve ever wanted for my birthday is peace on Earth,” McCartney shared, “including for animals.”
“We called it that because if slaughterhouses had glass walls,” he continued, “who would want to eat meat?”
In 2019 the Beatle also penned an open letter in support of the McCartney Family’s #MeatFreeMondays campaign.
“The planet is under huge pressure and the choices we make have never been more important,” the 78-year-old implored. “Meat Free Monday is compassionate to animals, it’s very good for your health and moreover in this context it’s damn good for the planet. The truth is there are lot of delicious plant-based options available so it’s not a difficult thing to do.”
Paul McCartney has also co-published The Meat Free Monday Cookbook with daughters Stella McCartney and Mary McCartney.
Read the letter along with Paul McCartney’s meat-free recipes here.
“No one needs to eat meat, so it shouldn’t be mandatory to serve it in schools. It’s time to revise the school food standards to help the planet, spare the animals and promote healthy eating.” – @PaulMcCartney, @MaryAMcCartney and @StellaMcCartney. @peta https://t.co/RQupfzvVcE pic.twitter.com/WeI5HcKseK
— Meat Free Monday (@MeatFreeMonday) June 22, 2020
