We call on Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna to ensure access to plant-based meals in schools and kindergartens across Poland! Please sign!

Children and youth in Polish schools lack access to healthy plant-based food, which negatively impacts their health and quality of life. For a growing number of students, climate, animals, and the environment are of great importance. There is an urgent need to amend the Regulation of the Minister of Health dated July 26, 2016, on the groups of foodstuffs intended for sale to children and youth in educational institutions and the requirements that must be met by foodstuffs used in the collective nutrition of children and youth in these institutions.

Why is this issue important?

• Health: Increasing numbers of young people are suffering from obesity and overweight, and diet is a decisive factor in lifestyle diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
• Student Rights: Over 17.3% of surveyed students feel discriminated against because of their diet, and only 6.5% of surveyed students have access to a hot vegan meal at school.
• Climate: Animal production is responsible for 12-17% of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, and the animal agriculture sector accounts for 78% of land biodiversity loss.
• Right to live in a clean environment: Protests from residents living near industrial farms highlight issues of water, soil, and air pollution. In 2023, Poland became a „leader” in chicken, egg, and dairy production.
• Animal Rights: Annually, over 1,300,000,000 farmed animals are killed in Poland alone, not including fish and marine animals. Many young people recognize animal suffering and choose compassion and a plant-based diet.

In March 2024, the Green REV Institute, Future Food 4 Climate, and over 40 individuals and institutions appealed to Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna to change the law to ensure access to healthy, plant-based meals in educational institutions. In response, the Minister did not address our request, and we need your help to persuade the decision-makers!

It’s time for a change in school cafeterias! Climate, animal rights, student rights, and human rights come together on the plate! Polish regulations leave plant-based students, vegans, and vegetarians without access to healthy, sustainable food in schools. We want the law to be changed to finally provide access to healthy, fully plant-based food in educational institutions.

Therefore, we appeal to Izabela Leszczyna, Minister of Health, for access to plant-based meals in educational institutions!

Credit: REV