As I stated in the beginning of my research HCPSS is rated among the top schools in Maryland that provide healthy school lunches, but, has limited vegetarian choices. The reasons for the limited options are, misconceptions about the appeal of vegetarian option to school children, concerns about meeting USDA guidelines with vegetarian foods, and having cost effective vegetarian and vegan lunch options for schools.
The research conducted in this investigation shows that despite misconceptions vegetarian options can appeal to many school children, meeting USDA guidelines with vegetarian foods is easy by adapting current school lunch recipes using protein substitutes. Lastly vegetarian options are cost effective for schools to purchase.
Instead of replacing other meat items on the menu schools could add one or to easy to make recipes that a vegetarian/vegan would feel comfortable eating for lunch.