PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Bay area school is starting the year with healthier food options for children.
- Solid Rock Community School now serving plant-based lunches
- Menu includes salads, vegetables, fruits, meatless meat
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Solid Rock Community School in Pinellas County is offering a new plant-based lunch menu. The menu includes salads, vegetables, fruits, and even spaghetti and meatless meatballs. School leaders made the switch to help reduce health problems in children. The students have quickly grown to like it.
"At first I was kind of hesitant because I'm not a person who likes to eat healthy a lot," said student Logan Dayok. "But I do like the lunches, they're good."
The head of Solid Rock Community School slowly started the transition a couple of years ago to take animal products off the school menu. School Founder Michele Fasnacht said they are the first in Florida to go plant-based.
"I care about the health of our families," Fasnacht said. "I love our kids. I want them to live long and healthy lives. I want to help the environment, this is a win-win. Whenever you're eating a plant-based diet, you're doing a win-win."
Since school started, Fasnacht said she's been testing different plant-based foods to see which lunches the students like.
She also held classes for families so parents could make healthy dishes for their children at home.
"To be able to provide them plant-based food, that is an amazing thing," said Fasnacht.