Advocacy

Healthy Schools Advocacy

Helping schools make plant-forward choices easier.

Healthy Kids, Happy Planet! advocates for school wellness policies, nutrition education, and plant-based meal access that support healthier kids and a healthier planet.

From federal and statewide legislation to local wellness committees, HKHP works to ensure schools have access to healthy, plant-forward choices in the cafeteria, and the educational resources to drive student demand.

As a result of early advocacy efforts, the CA Department of Education Nutrition Services created comprehensive resources to help schools meet the goals of the Healthy School Lunch Act.

Coalition Work

Plant Powered
School Meals Coalition

Expanding access to plant-based foods and beverages in schools

Healthy Kids, Happy Planet! is a proud member of the Plant Powered School Meals Coalition (PPSMC), facilitated by Friends of the Earth. The coalition consists of organizations, advocates, school food professionals and students from across the country working to increase access to nutritious and delicious plant-based foods and non-dairy milks in U.S K-12 schools.

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Visit Coalition Website

How HKHP Contributes

  • A stylized illustration of an iPhone with a green heart on the screen.

    School Food Support

    Supporting school food professionals with cafeteria promotional materials, educational resources, and technical assistance to strengthen plant-based menu implementation.

  • An emoji icon of a chat bubble with a star inside, with a blank chat bubble below it.

    Youth Leadership

    Mentoring students in the Plant Powered Youth Fellowship, helping cultivate the next generation of leaders in food systems and policy change.

  • Close-up of a mobile device screen displaying a green check mark inside a square box, indicating approval or verification.

    Policy Advocacy

    Advocating for policies that expand student access to plant-based meals and non-dairy milks in schools at the state and federal level.

Policies We’ve Advocated For

Plant Powered School Meals Pilot Act
(H.R.5867 / S.3669)

We are working to advance the PPSMPA, which would establish a $10 million voluntary grant program to provide interested districts with the funding and training necessary to expand healthy, climate-friendly plant-based meals in school cafeterias, and help overcome barriers to access non-dairy milks in public schools.

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

For the first time ever, a doctor's note is no longer required for students with a disability, such as lactose intolerance, to have a non-dairy alternative at lunchtime. Students just need a note from a parent or guardian. Additionally, schools can now offer fortified soy milk alongside cow’s milk on the lunch line as part of reimbursable school meals without requiring a parent or medical note.

Flyer for students & parents

‍Flyer for schools

Want to Support this Work?

Visit the coalition website to learn more, see what actions you can take today, and join the coalition.

Learn More & Get Involved

Policy Impact

Advocacy in Action

Key areas where HKHP has helped advance healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable school food environments.

  • Healthy School Lunch Act

    Sponsored landmark legislation supporting daily plant-based vegetarian school lunch options in California schools.

    Learn More

  • Major Health Organization Support

    The resolution was endorsed by major health organizations, the CA State PTA, Federation of Student Councils, and the CA Superintendent of Public Instruction.

    View Endorsements

  • School Wellness Policy

    Supported updates to the Oceanside School District Wellness Policy to strengthen plant-based meals, multicultural nutrition education, and vegan and vegetarian inclusion.

    Explore the Policy

  • Good Food Purchasing Program

    Advocated for school food systems aligned with the five core values of the Good Food Purchasing Program.

    Learn More

  • Grassroots Organizing

    Partners with local climate action organization SanDiego350 to support their work advocating for more plant-based food procurement and community education about animal agriculture's role in the climate crisis.

    Learn More

  • Community Advocacy

    Encourages parents, caregivers, food professionals, and educators to participate in local school wellness committees.

    Get Involved

WELLNESS COMMITTEE Advocacy

Supporting district and community wellness leadership.

HKHP encourages parents, caregivers, food and health professionals, and educators to participate in local school wellness committees and advocate for healthier school food systems.

Through district partnerships, wellness policy participation, and community collaboration, local advocates can help expand access to plant-based meals and inclusive nutrition education.

HKHP founder Barbara Cole Gates currently serves on local school wellness councils and continues supporting schools implementing more sustainable, plant-forward wellness policies.

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Want to advocate for healthier schools in your community?

HKHP can help connect families, educators, and school wellness leaders with resources to support plant-forward school food and nutrition education.

Partner with HKHP
Eat for the Planet