Too much meat in the canteens. This is the motto of three associations, calling for more vegetarian menus in schools. The CIPF (one of the main parents' organizations) is at the origin of this initiative, launched with the help of Greenpeace and the AVF, the vegetarian association of France.
Health and ecological concerns
The associations start from the observation of overconsumption of meat among children. Indeed, students eat two or four times too much in canteens compared to the official recommendations of ANSES, the food safety agency. In addition to student health, this association demand also addresses ecological concerns. The experts of the IPCC (climate experts) recommend to reduce as much as possible the consumption of animal proteins, in order to limit global warming.
Soon the obligation to offer a vegetarian meal per week
The associations also highlight the entry into force on 1 November of the Egalim law, which aims to oblige all school canteens to offer at least one vegetarian meal per week. Parents of pupils, however, have difficulties in converting large groups of catering.
Greenpeace is launching a website, cantineverte.fr, so that parents can regroup and put pressure on mayors. The reactions of the parents of pupils are however contrasted. "For me, it's not a priority." The menus are fairly balanced, "responds a parent interviewed by Europe 1 at the Saint-Charles school in Paris, in the 15th arrondissement." It's good for change habits, in the future it is necessary to consume less and it is very good to teach it to children, "replies, conversely, another parent.