Politics 101: What is Meatless Monday?

November 1, 9:51 PMBaltimore Republican ExaminerSean O'Donnell

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Program for healthy eating or political indoctrination?
(meatlessmonday.com)

© 2009 – Report

If your child happens to attend a public school in Baltimore City, he or she is required to observe Meatless Monday. In an attempt to encourage a diet of more plant-based foods, the Baltimore City Public School system is mandating that every school cafeteria serve meatless meals every Monday. The vegetarian program’s rationale is to provide healthy alternatives to meat, save schools money, and to reduce students’ carbon footprints.

While other Maryland schools systems have made changes to encourage healthy eating – such as many Baltimore County secondary schools replacing deep-fat fryers with ovens – Baltimore City is unique as they are the only school district in Maryland serving vegetarian meals exclusively on Mondays.

Although few parents have complained about the vegetarian program, some outsiders have questioned the need for such a program. Glenn Beck, Fox News’ libertarian commentator, maintains that program is more political than it is health-conscious. J. Patrick Boyle, CEO and president of the American Meat Institute, also criticized the school policy in a letter sent to the CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, Andres Alonso. In the letter, Boyle stated he was “disturbed to read about [the Baltimore City] school system’s decision to bow to an animal rights organization.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) declared Baltimore City schools the “Most Progressive Public School District of 2009” for its decision to implement Meatless Monday. Many believe that PETA is a radical and extremist animal rights organization.

“We’re not the food police” said Principal Matt Hornbeck of Hampstead Hills Academy addressing critics of the program. Hornbeck maintains that the school program simply attempts to provide healthy alternatives for student meals.

Recently, an op-ed article appeared in the New York Times asking (and answering) an interesting question: “Is eating a hamburger the global warming equivalent of driving a Hummer?” It’s obvious that Baltimore City Public Schools is also contemplating the same question by implementing its Meatless Monday program.

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