Debunking 4 Myths About Plant-Based Foods in Schools

What school leaders need to know. 

Today’s students — and their parents — are much more likely than previous generations to be interested in plant-based meal options, which are defined as minimally processed foods and drinks that provide alternatives to animal products such as fish, meat and dairy. 

• Nearly 85% of consumers say they are likely to include plant-based products in their shopping cart in the next three months.¹
• Nearly one-third of Gen Alpha students (born since 2010) consume plant-based “meats” or other favorites, such as oat milk several times a week.²
• This shift is largely influenced by Millennial parents, who tend to value healthy and sustainable meal choices. In fact, more than half of today’s parents say they want to feed their children more plant-based foods, with more than a third noting that their kids actively request such options.³

The growth in popularity is startling. The plant-based food market was valued at almost $44 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach more than $85 billion by 2030.⁴  

Across the country, school districts are responding to the change, and with good reason. Plant-based foods provide kids with a variety of benefits, including improved nutrition. There’s often more fiber, vitamins and minerals, and less saturated fat and cholesterol than animal-based options. This can help students adopt healthy eating habits that may last a lifetime.  

Still, even as demand booms, misconceptions persist, including questions about the expense of plant-based options and whether such meals provide enough protein for growing children. As you consider the merits of adding more plant-based options to your school’s menu, here are four common myths about plant-based foods and the truths you should know. 

Myth 1: Serving plant-based meals is too expensive 

Truth: Plant-based meals aren’t usually pricey. Many plant-based ingredients, such as beans, rice, oats and vegetables, are budget-friendly staples. While some prepared plant-based meat alternatives can cost more, using whole-food ingredients keeps costs low. 

Sodexo provides a wide variety of delicious and affordable options. Our plant-based offerings include ginger garlic tofu with vegetable lo mein, black bean burgers and many other tasty, cost-friendly meals. When one California school district replaced 30% of its meat, poultry and cheese with plant-based options, there was no rise in overall expense. In fact, district meal costs dropped by 1%. In addition, the district’s carbon footprint was reduced by 14% and embedded water usage fell by 42 million gallons per year over a two-year period.⁵

Myth 2: Plant-based meals don’t provide enough protein and nutrients for growing kids

Truth: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics affirms that well-planned plant-based diets are appropriate for all stages of life, including childhood. Today’s plant-based foods are rich in protein and fully capable of supporting children’s growth. An increasing portion of our super-nourishing Bright Bites Kitchen menu is now plant-based. Legumes (like lentils, beans and peas), soy products (like tofu and tempeh) and whole grains, nuts and seeds all contribute to high-protein, nutrient-dense meals. For example, a cup of cooked lentils contains 18 grams of protein — more than a boiled egg. Iron, calcium, vitamin B12 and other key nutrients are readily available in plant-based sources.  

Sodexo plant-based meals, such as the roasted chickpea baguette and the blackened tofu orzo bowl, are bursting with needed nutrients. In fact, tofu often contains more calcium per serving than dairy milk. Other excellent plant-based calcium sources include leafy greens, fortified cereals, beans and plant milks. In addition, vitamin C-rich foods (like citrus fruits and peppers) help boost iron absorption from plants.

Myth 3: Plant-based foods are a passing trend 

Truth: Rather than a fad, the fast rise of plant-based foods represents a major shift in dietary preferences. Market data and global food forecasts confirm that consumers will continue to enjoy and expect plant-based options. Even the USDA’s dietary guidelines now encourage higher intake of plant-based foods, particularly vegetables, legumes and whole grains. It’s one reason that our Crave menu provides high school students with choices such as the adobo tofu quesadilla and the Crave black bean burger.

For today’s students, the acceptance of plant-based foods is especially strong and often driven by environmental consciousness. Many Gen Alpha kids favor plant-based options because they consider it more sustainable and friendly to the planet. In fact, 80% of parents say their Gen Alpha children have influenced their own consumption decisions, making them more environmentally aware.⁶ As these students age, the movement toward plant-based foods is likely to only get stronger.

Myth 4: Plant-based foods are only for vegans

Truth: Most people who eat plant-based meals are not vegan or even vegetarian — they’re simply looking for healthier, more sustainable options. Offering students plant-based meals doesn’t exclude meat. It simply provides more choice.  

Sodexo fulfills this need for variety with meals as diverse as Mediterranean hummus flatbread, Southwest-spiced jackfruit carnitas bowl, mushroom romesco pasta bowl and more. As students consider their meal choices, plant-based options are not only now viable, but essential. 

Sources:

1. https://pbpc.com/consumer-trends/ 
2. https://datassential.com/resource/gen-alpha/
3. https://www.acosta.group/plant-based-retail-shopper-insights/
4. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/02/12/2827392/0/en/Plant-Based-FoodMarket-Surges-to-USD-85-Billion-by-2030-Reflecting-an-9-95-Growth-MarketDigits.html  
5. Friends of the Earth. https://foe.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/webiva_fs_2/FOE_FoodPrintReport_7F.pdf
6. McCrindle Research. https://mccrindle.com.au/article/topic/generation-alpha/generation-alpha-and-environmental-consciousness/