Kids in Northshore School District will soon be eating greener. The district announced this week that it has signed the Humane Society of the United States’s plant-based pledge to become the first district in Washington— and the broader Pacific Northwest—to promise to serve 28% plant-based menus in all schools by 2027.
Northshore, which serves approximately 22,000 students, includes families from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The decision to go more plant-based comes in response to family and student demand for more diverse and nutritious meal options that honor the diverse cultural, ethical, religious, health, and environmental values represented in the district’s student body.
The district has been integrating food options from different cultures since 2019, when dishes like rajma masala, chickpea coconut curry, Thai noodle salad, and Moroccan harira appeared on lunch menus. By signing the Forward Food Pledge, the district has committed to transitioning at least 28% of its meat-based entrees to plant-based entrees annually through the end of 2027.
To start their collaboration, the Humane Society and Northshore recently joined in touting plant-based school menus at the Washington School Nutrition Association’s annual conference. The presentation highlighted the importance of serving more plant-based menus and provided practical tips for implementing in school districts schools. Humane Society will continue to collaborate with the district, providing the district with recipes and chef-led culinary training, as well as student engagement strategies and marketing support.
Juliana Fisher, director of food and nutrition services at Northshore School District, said in a release that signing the pledge “is a significant step for us.
“We are dedicated to reaching 28% plant-based options by 2027,” Fisher added. “We serve a wonderfully diverse community, with over 123 languages spoken, and it’s vital that our menu choices reflect this diversity. By embracing more plant-based options, we are making a meaningful move towards sustainability and ensuring that every student can enjoy nutritious, inclusive meals. This pledge underscores our dedication to health, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility.”
Fisher added that input from families and an equity lens are essential to the district’s plant-based plan:
“Involving our families as we expand our menu has been very important,” Fisher said. “As with all of our work in Northshore, we apply a racial and educational justice lens to the work of our department and want each and every one of our students to feel represented in our menu options. We have conversations with families about what foods they serve at home so we can learn from our families and can incorporate the flavors and ingredients into our menu of options for students.”
In a release, Kym Bower, food service innovation specialist at the Humane Society of the United States, praised the district for setting an example for other schools in the region.
“We commend Northshore for taking this step in becoming the first district in Washington to showcase its dedication to humane, inclusive, and climate-friendly menus,” Bower said. “We hope this commitment to diversifying school menus inspires other districts in Washington to follow suit and see that they too can make a difference.”
Read more:
Seattle Public Schools closure plan updates and community reaction
Vote 2024: Capital gains tax repeal opponents stress tax funds schools and child child
Bellingham program helps disabled teens gain job experience
City of Seattle and Seattle schools invest in $14 million school safety plan
