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What’s lurking in your school lunch? E. coli ... pus ... animal cruelty? It could be a hearty serving of each in the “mystery meat” dished up by the school cafeteria! Pus patties, anyone? Government inspectors recently told reporters that students in 31 states were served chicken nuggets made from birds covered with pus, bruises, tumors, or scabs. Want barbecue sauce with that? Wait—it gets worse! The inspectors said that factory-farmed chickens commonly suffer from infections that cause pockets of pus to form in parts of their bodies. The pus-coated bird bits go into a mixture called a “binder,” which is used in chicken nuggets, patties, and “buffalo” wings. Is the lunch lady trying to kill you? Students at one Minnesota school became ill with cramps and bloody diarrhea after eating a casserole made with contaminated beef. Two of them had to be hospitalized! In New Jersey, vomiting sixth- and seventh-graders were taken to the hospital with food poisoning after being served undercooked “Steak-ums.” Skinned alive! After suffering the horrors of the factory farm, chickens are hung upside down by their feet and have their throats slit—some while they’re fully conscious. USDA inspectors have witnessed cows being skinned alive and squealing pigs being immersed into tanks of scalding water.
Here are some tips from students who have staged successful cafeteria coups: Stay positive. Point out that adding meat-free options will benefit everyone who wants to eat healthier. Make it easy by offering recipes. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine’s Gold Plan includes institutional-size recipes, table-top quizzes, factsheets, mini-posters, and more. To order, contact PCRM at 5100 Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 404, Washington, DC 20015; tel.: 202-686-2210; e-mail: pcrm@pcrm.org.
Don your chef’s hat and get cooking! Here are some meals you can make as fast as you can munch! Warning: Hungry brothers, sisters, moms, and dads may want some!!
Stuff a sandwich roll with lettuce, tomato, and veggie deli slices like vegetarian “bologna” or “turkey.” Heat sliced veggie dogs and canned vegetarian-style baked beans in the microwave for fast “franks and beans.” Pop a potato in the microwave for six to eight minutes, then top with salsa or canned mushroom gravy. Make your own chili by mixing one can each of diced tomatoes, pinto beans, and corn with one cup of crumbled veggie burger and chili powder, to taste, in a large, microwavable bowl; heat for several minutes. Calling out for pizza? Order it minus the cheese but piled high with tomatoes, peppers, olives, onions, mushrooms, and pineapple. Or make your own, using bagels in your toaster oven. Make an “ice cream” sundae with a scoop of Tofutti (a yummy nondairy frozen dessert), chocolate sauce, and candy sprinkles. Get creative with a veggie burger! Who needs ketchup and mustard when you can slather it with toppings like mushrooms, BBQ sauce, or guacamole? Load tortilla chips up with refried beans, guacamole, salsa, chopped tomatoes, and jalapeños for tasty nachos. Teens make up the fastest-growing segment of people who are going veg (every year, another 1 million Americans dump animal foods).
Turn that barbecue into a veggiecue! Place as many as you want on the grill, and then slather some BBQ sauce on the burgers with a basting brush. Flip the burgers over, baste ’em again, and roll the dogs. They should be done in about three minutes. Remove them from the grill, get a bun, and top them with mustard, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, chili, hummus, guacamole—whatever you want. Deeeelish!
Hey, your math teacher is right—numbers are your friends. Sometimes, they’re animals’ friends, too. And sometimes, they’re ... not. That’s why the animals are “counting” on you to tip the scales in their favor.
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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510; 757-622-PETA |
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If Tater Tots are the only veg option in your lunch line, it’s time to veganize your cafeteria! Meet with your school’s director of food services and ask that vegan options be added to the menu. 
Microwave tortillas and fill with canned refried beans, salsa, guacamole, and corn for easy burritos.
