Poland mandates plant-based meal options in school cafeterias

A new regulation from the Polish Ministry of Health, effective September 1, mandates that school cafeterias in educational institutions must provide plant-based meal options.

Previously, the availability of vegetarian and vegan meals varied significantly due to staff training, lack of initiative, or the lower cost of meat. The new rule requires meat alternatives to be available daily, with at least one entirely plant-based menu offered per week. This policy aims to support the growing number of students following plant-based diets and recognizes the nutritional adequacy of well-composed plant diets for all age groups.