peta2 Nominates L.A. Unified School District for 'Most Veg-Friendly Cafeteria' Award

Five Nominees Are in the Running to Be Named the District That Gives Its Students the Best Food for Thought

For Immediate Release:
April 13, 2010

Contact:
Marta Holmberg 757-622-7382

Los Angeles -- Not so long ago, a vegan meal at many of the country's high schools consisted of pale canned peas and limp salad, but times have changed for the better. Now peta2, the world's largest youth animal rights organization, is announcing the nominees for its Most Veg-Friendly School District  as part of its second annual Most Veg-Friendly Cafeterias competition—and the Los Angeles Unified School District has made the grade.

The school system has been chosen as one of the top five school districts in the U.S. for its vegetarian food offerings. Among the many meatless selections served up in the district's school cafeterias are vegetarian chili with tortilla chips, daily vegetarian soups, and meatless burgers.

Kids who eat plant-based foods get all the protein and other nutrients that they need without consuming all the cholesterol and saturated fats that are found in meat, eggs, and dairy products. Students who stick to vegan options are more likely than their classmates to stay slim and avoid developing "adult" health problems that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and Type 2 diabetes. By eating a vegan diet, students help not only themselves but also the planet. According to the United Nations, raising animals for food generates more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, boats, trains, and planes in the world combined. Students who avoid meat and dairy products also save, on average, 100 animals' lives every year.

"By offering a number of meatless food options in its cafeterias, the Los Angeles Unified School District is not only helping students maintain good health but also helping them save animals and the planet," says peta2 director Dan Shannon. "For more and more young people, these are all important goals."

Other nominees include Georgia's Gwinnett County Public Schools, the Berkeley Unified School District, Baltimore City Public Schools, and Virginia's Prince William County Public Schools. Nominees were chosen based on student recommendations and feedback received through MySpace, Facebook, and the peta2 Web site. Voting ends on April 30, and the winners will be announced on May 3. Everyone is eligible to vote to help peta2 find a winner.

To learn more about the contest or to cast your vote, please visit peta2.com.