Votes have are in and once again, Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) have come out on top, winning its second award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The school system has been declared the winner of the Most Vegetarian-Friendly Cafeteria contest sponsored by peta2, the world's largest youth animal rights organization. BCPS beat out four other school districts to take the award in the U.S. Public Schools category. The district will receive a framed certificate and a thank-you card signed by peta2 staffers.
According to peta2, BCPS is the only district among the five nominees that takes part in Meatless Mondays, an animal- and Earth-friendly program offering students an array of healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian foods. Some popular dishes available in BCPS cafeterias include spicy vegetarian chili, meatless lasagne, and Tex-Mex style black-bean nachos. In another of the school system's innovative program, local farmers and food distributors partner with the district to provide fresh, locally raised fruits and vegetables to students.
"Baltimore City Public Schools stands as a role model for school districts across the country when it comes to educating students about how their food choices affect not only their own health but also the world around them," says peta2 director Dan Shannon. "More and more young people are learning that the best thing that they can do for animals, the planet, and themselves is to go vegan."
BCPS beat out Georgia's Gwinnett County Public Schools, Virginia's Prince William County Schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Berkeley Unified School District. Awards were also given in the categories of U.S. Private Schools and Canadian Schools. In October 2009, PETA awarded the school system its Proggy Award for Most Progressive Public School District of 2009.
Source: Rachel Owen, peta2
Writer: Walaika Haskins