Plant-Based Menus to Be Available at Spanish Schools as Government Approves Healthy & Sustainable Cafeterias Decree

The Spanish government's Council of Ministers has approved a new decree aimed at providing healthy and sustainable school cafeterias for students. This initiative will ensure that students have access to nutritious meals aligned with official health recommendations, with a focus on plant-based options. The decree guarantees five healthy meals a week to all children, regardless of family income, and mandates increased consumption of legumes in line with health organization recommendations.

The law will protect children's right to a 100% plant-based menu in schools, with provisions for refrigeration and heating of food brought from home if needed. Additionally, the decree requires daily consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and limits sugary, fried, and pre-cooked foods in school cafeterias. This step is expected to help combat childhood obesity and benefit the environment by increasing the proportion of plant-based foods consumed. ProVeg Spain is optimistic that the decree will lead to a more varied, balanced, and healthy diet for students.