In Schools

The rights of vegan families

Veganism has been found to come within the scope of international human rights provisions and vegans in the UK are protected under human rights and equality law. This means that schools have an obligation to ensure that they do not interfere with a vegan’s right to freedom of conscience, and a responsibility under the Equality Act 2010 to avoid any discrimination on the grounds of veganism.

Whilst there is no legislation that requires the provision of vegan options, schools do have a duty under law to make reasonable changes. The information below will help you consider including vegan options on your school menu. If you opt not to provide a well-balanced meal for vegan pupils you must offer the alternative of a packed lunch.

Note, if a child is eligible for a free school meal the duty is not to discriminate and we believe this means that a vegan option should be provided.

We hope that you will consider providing vegan options, not just for vegan pupils but for the good of the planet, our public health and for animals.

Definition of veganism

Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.

Reasons why people go vegan

• It helps animals
• It can reduce your impact on the environment - a vegan diet can reduce your food related carbon emissions by 50%.
• Well-planned vegan diets support excellent health
• It reduces the demand for feeding crops to non-human animals

Nutrition

A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including meat, fish, milk, eggs and honey, so vegan pupils should not be given any food containing them. The Vegan Society and the British Dietetic Association work together to share reliable information about vegan nutrition, including the message that well-planned vegan diets can support healthy living in people of all ages. Visit our nutrition zone to find out about how vegans obtain essential nutrients from diets that exclude animal products.

Benefits of vegan catering

Data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey suggests that UK children are not eating enough fibre. This may be linked to the finding that children are also not eating enough fruit and vegetables. Here are some ways in which vegan food may enhance school catering:

• It’s easy to produce tasty meals that are rich in fibre and provide multiple servings of fruit and vegetables
• Eating vegan meals can help children to eat more beans and pulses as recommended in the UK’s Eatwell Guide

The food standards for schools in England state that all children should be encouraged to have a meat-free day each week by eating a meal containing alternatives like beans, chickpeas, lentils, soya mince, tofu or Quorn (vegan varieties available).

Increasing the proportion of vegan options available on a school menu can promote sustainability. Research has associated vegan diets with the lowest emissions of carbon dioxide, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recognises the importance of plant foods in tackling both climate change and world hunger.

How to support vegan children

If one or more of the children in your class is vegan, certain activities will not be in line with their beliefs, including animal dissections, trips to farms or zoos, chick hatching programmes and cooking animal products. Clothing also needs to be considered. For example, leather shoes are not vegan. In all these cases, alternative options avoiding animal use should be discussed.

If you'd like to explain your rights to your school, you can use the form at the bottom of this page to access our template email. You can find the letters in word here. 

Vegan rights

Veganism has been found to come within the scope of international human rights provisions and vegans in the UK are protected under human rights and equality law. This means that schools have an obligation to ensure that they do not interfere with a vegan’s right to freedom of conscience, and a responsibility under the Equality Act 2010 to avoid any discrimination on the grounds of veganism.

Whilst there is no legislation that requires the provision of vegan options, schools do have a duty under law to make reasonable changes. If there are only a small number of vegan children, they may argue that it would be too expensive for them to make changes. The information below should help you make the case for vegan provision, but ultimately the decision will sit with the head teacher or governors.

If the school opts not to provide a well-balanced meal for vegan pupils they must offer the alternative of a packed lunch.

Note, if a child is eligible for a free school meal the duty is not to discriminate and we believe this means that a vegan option should be provided. We can help make the legal case for this if needed.

Speaking to school staff about veganism

If school staff are unfamiliar with the basic principles of veganism, you can signpost them to our resources. It’s a good idea to highlight the benefits of both staff and pupils learning more. Veganism can be linked to many important topics, including food, farming and the environment, and there are teaching resources available.

Raising concerns about school catering

The head teacher and governors of a school make decisions about catering, so it’s a good idea to write them a letter. You can enquire about a meeting with the catering team, which would help you to get an idea of what’s possible. They could consider making some vegan meals available to anyone because this has the potential to increase intakes of fibre, fruit and vegetables, especially legumes (beans, lentils and peas), and have a positive impact on the sustainability of the service.

Vegan Society support

If you feel that your school is struggling to meet your child’s vegan needs, and you’re finding it difficult to resolve the situation, you can seek support by calling 07482 363922 on weekdays or sending an email to KnowYourRights[at]vegansociety[dot]com. We can support staff education, and our Dietitian team can offer nutrition advice to the catering team.

If you'd like to explain your rights to your school, you can use the form below to access our template email. Just complete the fields, press copy, then paste into your email browser - you'll then see the full suggested email to send to your school. You can access the letters in word here. 

A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including meat, fish, milk, eggs and honey. It’s been estimated that over half a million Brits are eating a vegan diet, and many others are interested in eating more plant-based diets. It’s important for caterers to have an idea of how to hit nutritional targets without animal products, and our nutrition zone provides some great resources. We work with the British Dietetic Association to share the message that well-planned vegan diets can support healthy living in people of all ages.

Benefits of vegan catering

Data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey suggests that UK children are not eating enough fibre. This may be linked to the finding that children are also not eating enough fruit and vegetables. Here are some ways in which vegan food may enhance school catering:

• It’s easy to produce tasty meals that are rich in fibre and provide multiple servings of fruit and vegetables
• Eating vegan meals can help children to eat more beans and pulses as recommended in the UK’s Eatwell Guide

The food standards for schools in England state that all children should be encouraged to have a meat-free day each week by eating a meal containing alternatives like beans, chickpeas, lentils, soya mince, tofu or Quorn (vegan varieties available).

Increasing the proportion of vegan options available on a school menu can promote sustainability. Research has associated vegan diets with the lowest emissions of carbon dioxide, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recognises the importance of plant foods in tackling both climate change and world hunger.

Definition of veganism

Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.

Reasons why people go vegan

• It helps animals
• It can reduce your impact on the environment - a vegan diet can reduce your food related carbon emissions by 50%.
• Well-planned vegan diets support excellent health
• It reduces the demand for feeding crops to non-human animals

The rights of vegan families

Veganism has been found to come within the scope of international human rights provisions and vegans in the UK are protected under human rights and equality law. This means that schools have an obligation to ensure that they do not interfere with a vegan’s right to freedom of conscience, and a responsibility under the Equality Act 2010 to avoid any discrimination on the grounds of veganism. Although there is no legislation that requires schools to provide vegan meals, they have a duty under law to make reasonable changes.

How to cater for vegans

If you’re reviewing your menu, consider making vegan meals available to anyone because they can be enjoyed by most pupils, helping them to hit their fibre and 5-a-day targets. If you’re developing a menu for vegan pupils, it’s important to know how to help them get the most out of their diets. Here are some tips about planning balanced meals:

• Ensure meals contain a vitamin C source, such as pepper, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kiwi fruit, oranges, strawberries, pineapple, grapefruit or orange juice. This boosts absorption of iron from plant foods.
• Ensure that most meals feature legumes (beans, lentils and peas) as the main source of protein, but add variety by making use of soya mince, tofu and Vegan Quorn too. Legumes and the dry variety of soya mince are particularly economical options.
• Ensure that fortified plant-based alternatives to milk or yoghurt are available every day

Ingredients to avoid

Vegans don’t eat anything that comes from an animal. This includes:

• Meat, including chicken, fish or any kind of shellfish
• Milk from any animal, or products containing milk such as cheese, yoghurt, cream and mayonnaise
• Eggs, or products containing eggs
• Honey, gelatine or beeswax

Here is a non-exhaustive list of common ingredients to avoid:

The Food-Info website provides further useful information about ingredients.

Please note that if a product carries a label which states that it may contain traces of an animal ingredient, this does not prevent it from being considered a vegan product.

If you are unsure whether a product is suitable for vegans, check if it carries the Vegan Trademark. If not, get in touch with the manufacturer for the most reliable and up to date information.

Cross-contamination

Kitchen organisation and food service also need to be considered. Caterers should strive to minimise cross-contamination from non-vegan products as far as is reasonably practicable. This includes keeping vegan and non-vegan foods separate, and using clean equipment.

Hawliau teuluoedd fegan

Mae feganiaeth wedi ei ganfod i ddod o dan gwmpas darpariaeth hawliau dynol rhyngwladol ac mae gan feganiaid y DU ddiogelwch o dan gyfreithiau dynol a chydraddoldeb. Golyga hyn bod gan ysgolion rhwymedigaeth i sicrhau nad yw amharu ar hawliau’r fegan i ryddid cydwybod, a chyfrifoldeb o dan Ddeddf Cydraddoldeb 2010 I osgoi anffafriaeth ar sail feganiaeth.

Tra nad oes unrhyw ddeddfwriaeth yn gofyn am ddewis fegan, mae’n ddyletswydd gyfreithiol ar ysgolion i wneud newidiadau rhesymol. Mae’r wybodaeth isod yn help i chi ystyried cynnwys opsiynau fegan ar eich bwydlen ysgol. Os nad ydych yn dewis darparu pryd cytbwys i ddisgyblion fegan, mae’n rhaid i chi gynnig pecyn cinio yn ei le.

Noder, os yw’r plentyn yn gymwys i dderbyn pryd bwyd ysgol am ddim nid yw’n ddyletswydd i wahaniaethu ac rydym yn credu bod hyn yn golygu y dylai dewis fegan gael ei ddarparu.

Rydym yn gobeithio byddwch yn ystyried darparu opsiynau fegan, nid yn unig o achos y disgybl ond am ddaioni’r blaned, ein hiechyd cyhoeddus ac i’r anifeiliaid.

Diffiniad o feganiaeth

Mae feganiaeth yn athroniaeth a ffordd o fyw sy’n ceisio eithrio - cyn belled ag sy’n bosibl ac ymarferol - pob ffordd o ecsbloetio neu ddangos creulondeb, tuag at anifeiliaid i gael bwyd, dillad neu unrhyw beth arall; ac o ganlyniad, hybu’r datblygiad o brofi opsiynau heb anifeiliaid er budd pobl, anifeiliaid a’r amgylchedd. Mewn termau dietegol mae’n terfynu gyda’r defnydd o gynnyrch a ddaw nail ai’n gyfan neu’n rhannol o anifeiliaid.

Rhesymau am fod pobl yn mynd yn feganiaid.

• Mae’n helpu anifeiliaid.
• Mae’n cyfyngu ar eich effaith ar yr amgylchedd fegan leihau eich - mi all diet fegan leihau eich gollyngdod carbon hyd at 50%.
• Mae diet fegan sydd wedi’u chynllunio’n dda yn hwyluso iechyd da.
• Mae’n lleihau ar y galw i fwydo cnydau i’r anifeiliaid hynny nad ydynt yn ddynol.

Maethiad

Mae diet fegan yn eithrio holl gynnyrch anifeiliaid, gan gynnwys cig, pysgod, llaeth, wyau a mêl, felly ni ddylai feganiaid gael cynnig unrhyw fwyd sy’n eu cynnwys hwy. Mae’r Vegan Society a`r British Dietetic Association yn cydweithio i rannu gwybodaeth ddibynadwy ynglŷn â maeth y fegan, gan gynnwys neges bod diet fegan sydd wedi’i gynllunio’n dda yn medru hwyluso byw yn iach ym mhobl o bob oed. Ymwelwch â’n nutrition zone i ffeindio allan sut mae feganiaid yn derbyn maeth hanfodol o ddietau sy’n eithrio cynnyrch anifeiliaid.

Manteision arlwyo fegan

Mae data o`r National Diet and Nutrition Survey yn awgrymu nad yw plant y DU yn bwyta digon o ffibr. Efallai bod hyn wedi’i gysylltu gyda’r canfyddiadau nad yw plant yn bwyta digon o ffrwythau a llysiau. Dyma rai ffyrdd sy’n dangos sut mae bwyd fegan yn medru gwella arlwy’r ysgol:

• Mae’n hawdd cynhyrchu prydau blasus sy’n gyfoethog mewn ffibr ac yn cynnig cyfarpar lluosog o ffrwyth a llysiau
• Mi all bwyta mwy o fwyd fegan helpu plant i fwyta mwy o ffa a chorbys fel y awgrymir yn yr UK`s Eatwell Guide

Mae`r food standards for schools in England yn datgan y dylai pob plentyn gael ei annog i gael diwrnod di-gig pob wythnos trwy fwyta pryd sy’n cynnwys dewisiadau amgen fel, ffa, chickpeas, ffonbys, mins soia, tofu neu Quorn (mae amrywiaethau fegan ar gael).

Mi all cynyddu’r gyfran o ddewisiadau fegan ar y fwydlen ysgol hyrwyddo cynaliadwyedd. Mae ymchwil wedi cysylltu dietau fegan gyda’r gollyngiadau isaf o garbon deuocsid, ac mae Sefydliad Bwyd ac Amaeth y Cenhedloedd Unedig yn adnabod pwysigrwydd o fwyd planhigion i ddelio â newydd yn yr hinsawdd a newyn byd.

Sut i gefnogi plant fegan

Os yw un neu fwy o’r plant yn eich dosbarth yn fegan, mi fydd rai gweithgareddau ddim yn cydweddu gyda’u cred, gan gynnwys dyrannu anifeiliaid, teithiau i ffermydd neu sŵau, rhaglenni’n ymwneud â genedigaeth cywion, a choginio cynnyrch a ddaw o anifeiliaid. Rhaid ystyried dillad hefyd. Er enghraifft, nid yw esgidiau lledr yn fegan. Yn yr holl achosion hyn, dylai opsiynau eraill sy’n osgoi’r defnyddio anifeiliaid, gael eu trafod.

Hawliau fegan

Mae feganiaeth wedi ei ganfod i ddod o dan gwmpas darpariaeth hawliau dynol rhyngwladol ac mae gan feganiaid y DU ddiogelwch o dan gyfreithiau dynol a chydraddoldeb. Golyga hyn bod gan ysgolion rhwymedigaeth i sicrhau nad ydynt yn amharu ar hawliau’r fegan i ryddid cydwybod, a chyfrifoldeb o dan Ddeddf Cydraddoldeb 2010 i osgoi anffafriaeth ar sail feganiaeth.

Er nad oes deddfwriaeth yn dweud bod angen darpariaeth o opsiynau fegan, mae gan ysgolion ddyletswydd o dan y gyfraith i wneud newidiadau rhesymol. Os oes ond ychydig bach o blant fegan, gellir dadlau ei bod hi’n rhy ddrud i wneud newidiadau. Dylai’r wybodaeth isod helpu gwneud yr achos dros ddarpariaeth fegan, ond yn y pen draw mi fydd y penderfyniad yn cael ei gwneud gan y prifathro neu’r llywodraethwyr.

Os yw’r ysgol yn dewis peidio cynnig pryd cytbwys i ddisgybl fegan mi fydd thaid iddi hi gynnig pecyn cinio arall.

Noder: Os yw’r plentyn yn gymwys i dderbyn pryd ysgol am ddim, mae’n ddyletswydd i beidio dangos anffafriaeth ac rydym yn credu dylai opsiwn fegan gael ei ddarparu, Mi allwn helpu gwneud achos cyfreithiol os bydd angen.

Siarad â’r staff ynglŷn â feganiaeth

Os yw staff yr ysgol yn anghyfarwydd ag egwyddorion sylfaenol feganiaeth, mi allwch eu cyfeirio tuag at ein hadnoddau (Ychwanegwch linc). Mae’n syniad da i bwysleisio’r manteision a ddaw o’r staff a’r disgyblion yn dysgu mwy.

Gellir cysylltu feganiaeth i lawer o bynciau pwysig, gan gynnwys bwyd, ffermio a’r amgylchedd, ac mae adnoddau dysgu teaching resources ar gael.

Pryderon ynglŷn ag arlwyo yn yr ysgol

Mae’r prifathro a llywodraethwyr yr ysgol yn gwneud penderfyniadau am arlwyo, felly mae’n syniad da i ysgrifennu llythyr iddynt. Mi allwch ofyn am gyfarfod gyda’r tîm arlwyo, a fyddai’n help i chi gael syniad o’r hyn sydd yn bosib. Mi allent ystyried y posibilrwydd o wneud rhai prydau fegan ar gael i unrhyw un am fod hyn yn rhoi’r potensial i gynyddu’r cymeriant o ffibr, ffrwyth a llysiau, yn enwedig legumes (llysiau) (ffa, ffonbys a phys), a chael effaith bositif ar gynaliadwyedd y gwasanaeth.

Cefnogaeth y Vegan Society

Os ydych yn teimlo bod eich ysgol yn ei chael hi’n anodd cwrdd ag anghenion fegan eich plentyn, a’i bod hi’n anodd datrys y sefyllfa, mi allwch geisio cefnogaeth wrthym drwy ein galw ar 0121 523 1730 rhwng 09.00 a 17.00 yn ystod yr wythnos waith neu anfon e-bost i advocacy[at]vegansociety[dot]com. Mi allwn helpu gyda dysgu’r staff, a gall ein dietegydd, Heather cynnig cyngor am faeth i’r tîm arlwyo.

Mae diet fegan yn eithrio pob cynnyrch anifeiliaid, gan gynnwys cig, pysgod, llaeth, wyau a mêl. Amcangyfrifir bod dros hanner miliwn o bobl ym Mhrydain yn bwyta diet fegan, gyda llawer o rai eraill yn diddori mewn dietau sy’n fwy seiliedig ar blanhigion. Mae’n bwysig bod gan arlwywyr syniad o sut i gyrraedd targedau maeth heb gynnyrch anifeiliaid, ac mae’n nutrition zone yn cynnig rhai adnoddau gwych. Rydym yn gweithio gyda’r British Dietetic Association i rannu neges bod diet fegan sydd wedi’u chynllunio’n dda yn gallu bod o gymorth i fywyd iach i bobl o bob oed.

Manteision arlwyo fegan

Mae data o`r National Diet and Nutrition Survey yn awgrymu nad yw plant y DU yn bwyta digon o ffibr. Efallai bod hyn wedi’i gysylltu gyda’r canfyddiadau nad yw plant yn bwyta digon o ffrwythau a llysiau. Dyma rai ffyrdd sy’n dangos sut mae bwyd fegan yn medru gwella arlwy’r ysgol:

• Mae’n hawdd cynhyrchu prydau blasus sy’n gyfoethog mewn ffibr ac yn cynnig cyfarpar lluosog o ffrwyth a llysiau
• Mi all bwyta mwy o fwyd fegan helpu plant i fwyta mwy o ffa a chorbys fel y awgrymir yn yr UK`s Eatwell Guide

Mae`r food standards for schools in England yn datgan y dylai pob plentyn gael ei annog i gael diwrnod di-gig pob wythnos trwy fwyta pryd sy’n cynnwys dewisiadau amgen fel, ffa, chickpeas, ffonbys, mins soia, tofu neu Quorn (mae amrywiaethau fegan ar gael).

Mi all cynyddu’r gyfran o ddewisiadau fegan ar y fwydlen ysgol hyrwyddo cynaliadwyedd. Mae ymchwil wedi cysylltu dietau fegan gyda’r gollyngiadau isaf o garbon deuocsid, ac mae Sefydliad Bwyd ac Amaeth y Cenhedloedd Unedig yn adnabod pwysigrwydd o fwyd planhigion i ddelio â newydd yn yr hinsawdd a newyn byd.

Diffiniad o feganiaeth

Mae feganiaeth yn athroniaeth a ffordd o fyw sy’n ceisio eithrio - cyn belled ag sy’n bosibl ac ymarferol - pob ffordd o ecsbloetio neu ddangos creulondeb, tuag at anifeiliaid i gael bwyd, dillad neu unrhyw beth arall; ac o ganlyniad, hybu’r datblygiad o brofi opsiynau heb anifeiliaid er budd pobl, anifeiliaid a’r amgylchedd. Mewn termau dietegol mae’n terfynu gyda’r defnydd o gynnyrch a ddaw nail ai’n gyfan neu’n rhannol o anifeiliaid.

Rhesymau am fod pobl yn mynd yn feganiaid.

• Mae’n helpu anifeiliaid.
• Mae’n cyfyngu ar eich effaith ar yr amgylchedd fegan leihau eich - mi all diet fegan leihau eich gollyngdod carbon hyd at 50%.
• Mae diet fegan sydd wedi’u chynllunion yn dda yn hwyluso iechyd da.
• Mae’n lleihau ar y galw i fwydo cnydau i’r anifeiliaid hynny nad ydynt yn ddynol.

Hawliau fegan

Mae feganiaeth wedi ei ganfod i ddod o dan gwmpas darpariaeth hawliau dynol rhyngwladol ac mae gan feganiaid y DU ddiogelwch o dan gyfreithiau dynol a chydraddoldeb. Golyga hyn bod gan ysgolion rhwymedigaeth i sicrhau nad ydynt yn ymyrryd ar hawliau’r fegan i ryddid cydwybod, a chyfrifoldeb o dan Ddeddf Cydraddoldeb 2010 i osgoi anffafriaeth ar sail feganiaeth. Er nad oes unrhyw ddeddfwriaeth sy’n gorfodi ysgolion i ddarparu prydau fegan, mae arnynt ddyletswydd i wneud newidiadau rhesymol.

Sut i arlwyo i feganiaid

Os ydych yn adolygu eich bwydlen, ystyriwch wneud prydau fegan ar gael i unrhyw un am ei bod yn gallu cael eu mwynhau gan y mwyafrif o ddisgyblion, hân eu helpu i gyrraedd eu targed "5-a-day." Os ydych yn datblygu bwydlen i ddisgyblion fegan, mae’n bwysig i wybod sut i gael y mwyaf o’u dietau. Dyma rai awgrymiadau:

• Sicrhewch fod prydau yn cynnwys ffynhonnell o fitamin C, fel pupur, brocoli, bresych, briwiau Brwsel, ffrwyth ciwi, orennau, mefus, pîn afal, grawnffrwyth a sudd oren. Mae hyn yn amsugno haearn o fwyd planhigion.
• Sicrhewch fod y mwyafrif o’r prydau’n cynnwys (ffa, ffonbys a phys) fel prif ffynhonnell o brotein, ond ychwanegwch amrywiaeth trwy wneud defnydd o fins soia, tofu a Quorn I feganiaid hefyd. Mae Legumes (llysiau) ac amrywiaeth sych o fins soia yn enwedig o economaidd.
• Sicrhewch fod dewisiadau eraill yn seiliedig ar blanhigion, ar wahân i laeth ac iogwrt, ar gael pob dydd.

Cynhwysion i'w hosgoi

Nid yw feganiaid yn bwyta unrhyw beth a ddaw o gorff anifail. Mae hyn yn cynnwys:

• Cig, gan gynnwys cyw iâr, pysgod neu unrhyw fath o bysgod cregyn
• Llaeth o unrhyw anifail, neu gynnyrch yn cynnwys llaeth fel caws, iogwrt, hufen a mayonnaise
• Wyau, neu gynnyrch yn cynnwys wyau.
• Mêl, gelatin neu gŵyr gwenyn

Dyma restr fer - ond nid gyflawn - o’r cynhwysion cyffredin a ddylid eu hosgoi:

Mae gwefan y Food-Info yn darparu mwy o wybodaeth ddefnyddiol am gynhwysion. Noder os gwelwch yn dda: Os yw’r cynnyrch yn arddangos label sy’n datgan y gallai’r cynnwys ddangos olion o gynhwysion anifail, dydi hyn ddim yn ei atal rhag cael ei ystyried yn gynnyrch fegan.

Os nad ydych yn siŵr ynglŷn ag addasrwydd y cynnyrch i feganiaid, gwiriwch i weld os yw’n cario’r Nod Masnach Feganaidd neu’r Vegan Tradmark. Os na, cysylltwch â’r gwneuthurwyr am wybodaeth ddibynadwy a chyfoes.

Croes-lygru

Rhaid hefyd ystyried trefniant y gegin a gwasanaeth y bwyd. Mi ddylai arlwywyr anelu tuag at leihau unrhyw groes-lygru o’r cynnyrch di-fegan ar wahân, a defnyddio offer glan.