Surrey schools could roll out meat free Mondays - and people want others to follow suit

Schools in Surrey are set to be offering plant-based menus one day a week under a new healthy eating strategy.

“Meat-free Mondays” look like they're about to become mandatory for all state schools in Surrey County Council, as well as some private schools.

The scheme is supposed to address the issue of food insecurity and help children to sustain a "healthy" weight.

Council officer Marisa Heath said to BBC: “We’re still giving six days a week for people to make other choices so I don’t think it is draconian or heavy handed."

Schools in Surrey are starting to serve plant-based food (Credit: Getty)

It's a decision that's being considered by Surrey Healthy Schools programme, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The menu is apparently being pitted as fruit, vegetables and legumes, as supposed to plant-based meat alternatives.

Of course, plans for those who can't eat plant-based for various reasons have been considered, too.

 “I don’t think meat-free Mondays is too much to ask for one day a week," the officer said during the environment and highways select committee meeting.

“Levelling up is not just about buildings, it’s about people. It’s about their wellbeing, mental and physical, and allowing them to reach their [potential]."

Some people are calling for the scheme to launch near them, too (Credit: Getty)

The suggestion for plant-based school meals comes after around 1,210 of 9,355 Year 6 pupils who were tracked in Surrey were categorised as obese or severely obese in 2022-23, according to NHS figures show.

The official Surrey Whole System Food Strategy is being finalised at the moment, according to the council, so any final decisions will be published then.

Talking about the topics of meat free Mondays more generally on social media, it's clear that many other parents are clear

"In many school canteens (including my own) meat options & unsustainable products such as tuna fish are served every day. I've been trying to encourage meat-free Mondays," said one on Twitter.

The suggestion is meant to encourage kids to eat healthily (Credit: Unsplash)

While, discussing the topic on Facebook, another wrote: "I think it's a good idea. Firstly it's very healthy, and secondly it allows children to see that there's another way to eat."

"Great idea! Should have at least 3 meat free days a week in my opinion! Healthier for us all too," said a third.

What do you think? Would you be up for meat free school meals one day a week?

Featured image: Getty