12-year-old vegan chef calls on UK government to stop mandatory Umeat and dairy in school dinners

Young entrepreneur, Omari McQueen, joins PETA and environmental, health, and animal groups in urging for vegan-friendly update of school meal guidelines

 

 

 

Omari McQueen may only be 12-years-old, but the CEO and founder of Dipalicious dips – is a vegan on a mission to securing a better future for planet Earth.

The UK’s youngest award-winning vegan chef is urging the government remove the requirement for servings of dairy, meat and fish from the School Food Standards and replace it with more flexible nutritional guidelines, that are better for the planet.

McQueen is one of many people and organisations to have joined the PETA-led campaign – other supporters include Paul, Mary, and Stella McCartney, founders of Meat Free Monday, and the Royal Society for Public Health.

 

‘Out of step’

In a recent letter sent to the government, PETA explains that the current animal-derived food mandates limit schools’ capacity to serve children climate-friendly vegan foods.

The regulations are out of step with the government’s own nutritional advice to the public – the Eatwell Guide – which allows for nutritional needs to be met without meat and dairy.

 

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The UK’s youngest award-winning vegan chef @OmariMcQueen joins PETA in calling on the Government to ditch the meat mandate for schools. pic.twitter.com/1FNFB3IwLA

— PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 15, 2020

 

‘We don’t need meat or dairy’

“It’s so important to eat tasty foods that keep us healthy and energised during the day, are kind to the planet, and don’t hurt animals,” says McQueen of school meals.

“Because we don’t need meat or dairy, schools should be able to choose if they want to serve them.”

McQueen, chose to go vegan at the tender age of eight after doing research for his YouTube channel.

Following his transition, the inspiring boy has been given PETA’s Compassionate Kid Award, has founded his own company, run a successful pop-up restaurant in Croydon’s BoxPark and he’s also just announced the launch of his first book, Omari McQueen’s Best Bites Cookbook, planned for January 2021.

 

‘Vegan for animals, the planet and health’

PETA adds that a 2019 poll by Linda McCartney Foods, discovered that ‘70 per cent of British children want more vegan meals on their school menus.’

‘As the world faces dual health and climate crises, going vegan is one of the best things young people can do for animals, the planet, and their own health.’

 

 

 

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