Opt in to plant-based lunches!
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frequently asked Questions
frequently asked Questions
Will my student be getting enough protein if they are eating plant-based lunches?
Will my student be getting enough protein if they are eating plant-based lunches?
Absolutely. Plant-based school lunches meet the same standards as non-plant based lunch options, fully aligning with USDA nutrition requirements.
Is there a deadline for submitting the request to plant-based meals?
Is there a deadline for submitting the request to plant-based meals?
No. You can opt your student in at any time!
Who can submit the request form?
Who can submit the request form?
Parents/guardians can fill out the form for elementary and middle school students.
High school students may fill out their own form, if desired.
How long will it take for my student to start receiving plant-based lunches after I submit my request?
How long will it take for my student to start receiving plant-based lunches after I submit my request?
It varies by school but it can take anywhere from a week to over a month. For more specifics, reach out to your school’s food program director.
What if I have more than one student I want to opt in to plant based meals?
What if I have more than one student I want to opt in to plant based meals?
If you have more than one student in the same school, you may put multiple students on the same form.
If you have more than one student in the same school, but with different needs (ie, food allergies or day of week requests), please fill out separate forms.
If you have students in separate schools, fill out a form for each separate school.
What if my child has additional allergies?
What if my child has additional allergies?
If your child has allergies or you have any other disability-related request, you will need to file this separate medical authority modified meal request form with your school.
Does my student need to eat lunch at school every day to request plant-based meals?
Does my student need to eat lunch at school every day to request plant-based meals?
No. Your student does not need to eat lunch at school every day to request plant-based meals.
Can my student opt in to plant-based meals and still get non-plant based meals when they choose to?
Can my student opt in to plant-based meals and still get non-plant based meals when they choose to?
This will vary by school, depending on the type of food service model they have. We recommend you reach out to your school district directly.
More Plants On Plates Illinois (MPPI) is raising awareness and supporting parents in requesting plant-based meals, which schools are required by law to provide with prior request.
Each school is responsible for creating and serving plant-based meals, and options may vary. When you sign up, we reach out to your school’s Food Service Director (FSD) with resources and suggestions to help implement these meals.
We encourage parents to connect with their schools to provide feedback. It’s important to let them know what’s not working for your child so they can incorporate that into their menu planning.
For assistance or to connect with your school’s FSD, please reach out to Michelle Salatan, one of the MPPI coalition partners, at michelles@balanced.org. We’re here to help and be a resource to your school to make plant-based options easy and available a success!