SOUTH JERSEY

Bill would expand school menus for N.J. vegetarian students

Jim Walsh
@jimwalsh_cp

The state Assembly has advanced a bill that would require school districts to consider “culturally sensitive” menu choices for students, including breakfast and lunch options for vegans and vegetarians.

Under the bill, advisory committees in districts with middle or high schools would recommend menu options that reflect students’ “cultural, traditional and overall dietary preferences,” the Assembly Democrats said in a statement Friday.

Among other provisions, a district would have to make “all reasonable efforts” to offer hot and cold vegetarian and vegan choices if requested by any student, the statement said.

A representative of the Vegetarian Society of South Jersey said people who abstain from meat and animal products can find few menu choices.

“It is difficult when you go out to eat,” said George Zitzler of Delran, who added the society has about 100 members.

“Sometimes, you wind up just eating side dishes. I’d imagine there’d be a similar problem in schools.”

The measure’s backers include two Democratic assemblywomen from South Jersey, Gabriela Mosquera of Gloucester Township and Pamela Lampitt of Cherry Hill. The Assembly approved the bill 59-15 on Thursday, sending it to the Senate.

“School breakfasts and lunches cannot provide the nourishment that New Jersey’s students need if they aren’t eaten,” Mosquera said in a statement.

“Making vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal and other cultural dietary options available can increase the likelihood that students will eat the food on the menu.”

Advisory committee members would include a food services employee or contractor, at least four students and at least one parent.

“A school nurse who expresses interest may also serve on the committee,” the statement said.

To determine whether a committee is needed, it added, middle and high school students “would complete a written form indicating whether he or she has an unmet dietary preference.”

A superintendent could suspend the bill’s requirements for one academic year if students don’t express any concerns over food choices or if a small group’s preferences “can be met to their satisfaction without a food service advisory committee.”

Reach Jim Walsh at jwalsh@courierpostonline.com or (856) 486-2646. Tweet him @jimwalsh_cp