District 202 Expands Vegan, Vegetarian Lunch Options

PLAINFIELD, IL — Students at District 202 middle and high schools now have access to an expanded vegan and vegetarian lunch menu this school year. The change could not only help students live healthier lives, but could also benefit the environment, district officials said.

Items like vegan "chicken" nuggets were added to the lunch menus at the district's seven middle schools and four high schools. There are also more fresh options at the high schools' salad bars, and more salad options in middle schools, the school district said in an announcement.

Prior to this year, vegan options were only available upon request. But District 202 and its food service vendor, Aramark, worked to institute the changes following student feedback and survey results.

"Aramark is always working to change options to better match the students' tastes," Kim Young, general manager for Amamark Great Lakes West, K-12 education, said in a statement.

The new options will provide students with healthier lunch choices while also potentially helping the environment through less meat consumption, Rick Engstrom, assistant superintendent for business and operations at District 202, said in a statement.

"District 202 is committed to providing nutritious meals to all students," Engstrom said.

Aramark provides food services across all District 202 elementary-high schools with menus operating on a five-week rotation.