About Us
Our Mission
The Plant Powered School Meals Coalition expands nutritious and delicious plant-based foods and beverages in U.S. K-12 schools.
Our Vision
We envision a future where every student has access to food that meets their needs and protects the planet.
Theory of Change
Through movement building, policy advocacy, and leadership development, the Plant Powered School Meals Coalition unites stakeholders, shifts public perception, and secures policies that make plant-based school meal options the norm.
Our Values
Equity and Inclusion
Those directly impacted by school meals – especially low-income and Black, Indigenous, and students and families of color who are most likely to rely on them as a primary source of nutrition – guide our work.
Compassion and Community
School meals impact the health and well-being of people, animals, and the environment.
Freedom and Choice
All students and their families deserve food and beverages that meet their needs at school, whether for religious, philosophical, health, ethical, cultural, or other reasons.
Interconnectedness and Intersectionality
The more than seven billion school meals served each year have ripple effects throughout our entire food system, from farm to fork. Our work is among many system change efforts working in concert to support nutritious diets, protect the environment, ensure fair treatment of workers and farmers, and protect animals.
Our Members
Our Work
Our coalition brings together a diverse network of advocates, students, and organizations committed to expanding plant-based meals and nondairy milk options in K–12 schools across the country.
Many of our coalition members participate in Working Groups, which allow for more in depth discussions focused on specific areas of interest (e.g., federal policy). Working Groups are open to any coalition member.
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The Federal Policy Working Group advances federal policies (legislative and administrative) that expand plant-based meals in schools. Our current focus is on building support for the Plant Powered School Meals Pilot Act (H.R.5867 / S. 3669).
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The State Policy Working Group supports efforts to advance state policies that expand plant-based meals in schools. While our efforts are currently focused on California, New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Washington, we are eager to provide support for policies in other states.
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The Movement Building Working Group grows the number and diversity of organizations, students, and individuals actively engaged in the coalition and its advocacy efforts.
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The Narrative Change/Communication’s Working Group expands traditional and non-traditional media coverage of plant-based school food, with narratives in the media, in Congress, and with USDA primarily shaped by those most impacted by school meals.
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The Best Practices Working Group supports school food professionals and technical service providers with tools, resources, and shared learnings to strengthen plant-based menu implementation in school districts.
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The Student Wing is a youth-powered working group of the Plant Powered School Meals Coalition, led by students and for students. Open to middle school, high school, and college students, this is a home for young people passionate about federal policy, media, and launching impactful campaigns to expand plant-based options in their schools.
