Dairy and public schools

As a vegan teacher, I can’t help but feel disturbed by the enmeshment of Big Dairy and American public schools.

For breakfast and lunch, students are offered milk. In some schools, they have no choice but to take it!

The rate at which it’s wasted is astounding. It ends up tossed in the trash, curdling in the recycling bins and rotting in cubbies/lockers. Frankly, it’s nauseating to watch them drink/slurp/spill milk at 7:50 in the morning 🤢

I don’t know the data, but I’m sure a big reason the dairy industry continues to survive in the fact that it’s so entrenched in the school system.

I wonder if there’s a possibility this could ever change. I’d imagine a big argument is nutrition/protein but there are so many better/healthier/ less disgusting sources.

Is dairy ubiquitous in schools around the world? Doubt it! I would love to hear how public school breakfast/lunches are done or could be done to remove the clutches of Big Dairy!