LA schools could serve up vegan lunch program this fall

At an unspecified number of schools come August, the Los Angeles Unified School District may pilot a vegan meal program, according to LAUSD Board President Steve Zimmer. Zimmer, a vegetarian himself, said students deserve access to foods that form lasting healthy habits. According to his proposal, the World Health Organization, Harvard Medical School, the Physicians Committee and several other national and international health-committees have determined consuming meat and dairy increases the risk for cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. In contrast, plant-based diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and beneficial for the prevention of heart disease, obesity, cancer and diabetes, Zimmer said.