Recently, Farm Sanctuary chatted with activist Margot Blanco and Youth Leadership Council member Morgan Greenlaw about their recent victory in getting plant-based food options into California schools. Not only are these teens revolutionizing how they and their fellow students eat, but they are also looking to the future of how their work and endeavors can benefit other causes close to them. And, did we mention they’re good friends?
How did both of you become so passionate about plant-based eating?
Greenlaw: In third grade, I went vegetarian and I just learned a lot about how eating plant-based is one of the most impactful and effective decisions any individual can make. And, I mean, humans eat food whether you’re eating plant-based or animal, so it’s just really easy to incorporate that.
Blanco: So, I went vegetarian after I reconnected with Morgan in middle school, because we had known each other since the second grade. Then she kind of taught me about the possibility of eating plant-based. Up until then, I was raised in a traditionally Spanish house, and that just wasn’t ever presented as an option. So we realized it’s very likely that people don’t realize it’s an option for them culturally and traditionally. I attended a program over the summer, and I learned the power of activism in your community. So I was, like, “What’s the most effective way to teach people about eating plant-based and creating a viable impact at Palo Alto (High School)?” The simple solution was by changing school meals to more plant-forward options.