Moraga School to Gobble Up PETA’s ‘ThanksVegan’ Feast Deal?

For Immediate Release:
November 4, 2026

Contact:
Alex Payne 202-483-7382

A delicious, animal-friendly Thanksgiving feast could be headed to Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School. In a letter sent today to Moraga School District Food and Nutrition Services Coordinator Selma Mirante, PETA put a tasty offer on the table: Add a satisfying vegan entrée to the school’s daily menu, and PETA will treat students to a catered “ThanksVegan” feast featuring vegan roast, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

The request comes after Joaquin Moraga was named a 2026 California Green Achiever for its achievements in sustainability, health and wellness, and environmental education—and as new state resources are available to support changes to school meals. PETA points out that California’s 2026-27 Kitchen Infrastructure and Training funding allows school districts to purchase animal-free foods and nondairy milks, train cafeteria staff, expand scratch cooking, and upgrade kitchens. Choosing vegan meals also dramatically shrinks one’s food-related carbon footprint.

“Protecting animals and the planet begins on our plates, and delicious vegan entrées would empower Joaquin Moraga students to feel the impact of their food choices,” says PETA Vice President Danielle Katz. “PETA urges the Moraga School District to use the KIT Program to bring Joaquin Moraga’s environmental and civic leadership into the cafeteria.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. PETA also offers a free vegan starter kit on its website for anyone ready to make the switch. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Mirante follows.

Selma Mirante

Food and Nutrition Services Coordinator

Moraga School District

Dear Ms. Mirante:

Greetings from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals —PETA has nearly 716,000 members and supporters across California. We’re reaching out to urge Moraga School District to use California’s Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Program to add a satisfying vegan entrée to the daily lunch menu at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School. If the district agrees, PETA would be delighted to celebrate by treating students to a catered vegan Thanksgiving meal.

As a 2026 California Green Achiever recognized for environmental literacy, civic action, and sustainability, Joaquin Moraga should also serve these values in the cafeteriabyoffering a complete vegan entrée each day. KIT funding offers the district an opportunity to turn its lessons into action through food purchases, staff training, scratch cooking, and kitchen improvements.

Serving delicious vegan meals would nourish students, protect the planet, and spare animals. Entrées made with vegan foods provide protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. Countless animals would be spared, including loving mother cows, playful pigs, and clever chickens and turkeys. Animal-free cuisine requires far less water and land use, and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than animal-derived meals. A greener future can begin with a greener lunch tray.

Making the change could be simple: The school could offer a flavorful vegan burger with dairy-free cheese, prepare its pesto pasta with dairy-free pesto, and remove the dairy from its traditional hummus box. Bean-and-rice burritos, lentil Bolognese, tofu stir-fry, chickpea curry, and dairy-free macaroni and cheese would also make satisfying additions.

We urge Moraga School District to put Joaquin Moraga’s environmental and civic leadership on the menu, and PETA stands ready to help kick off this compassionate commitment with a festive vegan Thanksgiving meal.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Danielle Katz

Vice President of Campaigns