Milk, vegans and a school cafeteria -- please help?

Question

I have almost cut out all dairy from my diet, as I am trying to go vegan. One major problem is that at school, you get a milk carton when you buy lunch. But, if I don't want to get milk, I do not get money back, and if i buy a nice grapefruit juice I have to pay an extra dollar 25. I think this is ridiculous and unfair. I want to contact the school and ask if they could take off some money when you aren't getting milk, or offer vegan beverages in place of milk. Don't have to have fancy shmancy almond milk, even a little water bottle would be fine.

I know I can bring my own drink it, but then I am still paying for a milk carton I haven't bought.

To sum it up, I want to ask the school to either

-charge less when you're not getting milk

or offer a vegan beverage. I think this is fair.

Only problem is, i don't know how to go about approaching the school, and what to say.

We have a very approachable vice principal, principal, guidance counselor and student council. I would rather send an email, though.

Can anyone help me decide what to say, and who to say it to?

Answer 1

i think your completely right and the school is unfair. basically say exactly what you said here. it's no different then if you were lactose intolerant... or just plainly don't drink milk.  you shouldn't have to pay for it and then throw it out (which is terribly wasteful) you should have another option.  i would definately put your letter in writing- in email or in paper.  state that you are available to talk in person to follow up with any questions or concerns, but you would like the issue handled as soon as possible.  of course, having other students and parents write letters and / or call will help as well.

Answer 2

That doesn't sound right at all.  :-(  The school should compensate you or offer you something that you can have in place of the milk.  I don't know much about who you should approach.  If your situation is dealt with effectively, you will be making things easier on people in the future who don't want dairy, so you might as well find out the best process.

If you want to, you could ask a vegan lawyer to give you advice on what your rights are and what specific actions you can take.  Check out the URL http://www.vegattorney.com/  I know Shannon because we go to some of the same events in LA, and she's a really cool person.  I can't say for sure if she's easy to get a hold of but you can start with her.  Someone on this site is surely willing to make a phone call for you or give you pointers.

What about lactose intolerant people?  There are so many.  Doesn't the school do anything for them??  It's also too bad that your money is going to the dairy industry.

This is really gross.  And don't listen to the jerks who criticized your choices rather than answering your question.  You are right to be annoyed by this.  You aren't asking for much by asking for a suitable drink or a refund.  If they want to spend their days judging vegans, just give them a thumbs down and move on!

Best Wishes!

Answer 3

I would ask them to consider having other beverages available for those with alternative diets. Explain to them that you are a vegan and you do not drink milk, but would think a bottle of water or juice would be a good alternative. I would also bring up that there may be others with alternative diets in the school, as well as some who are allergic to milk products. This way you're showing more people who would benefit from a change like this.

Good luck. I really think it's great that you're looking for a change.

Answer 4

bring you're own lunch! GO MEAT!!

Answer 5

yeah, my high school was like that too. You had to pay $2.75 for a whole lunch meal (Milk, 2 entrees, fruit/veggie) and if you didn't want the milk, you would still have to pay $2.75. Lameee.  You can say "Hi, I have a recommendation for the school lunches. A lot of people don't drink milk and if you could make it so that the lunch cost without milk is cheaper. Students really don't want to pay for something we don't want. Thanks!" You could also start a petition with other students and get signatures. Well, GOOD LUCK! ;D

Answer 6

I'm with the guy who said it is a package deal....what if someone is allergic to nuts, do they get to deduct the cost of the item every time there is something on the plate with nuts?? should a public school lunchroom provide a majority of meals for average eaters...some meals for vegetarians...some meals for pescatarians...some meals for vegans...etc. etc.?  You are eating outside of the norm, you may have to pay extra!

Answer 7

goodness...you are making a big deal out of nothing.  Sometimes package deals are just that ...package deals.  Give it to someone else and stop griping!  Take your own drink.  It is  a little difficult to deal with everyone's needs...it is a PACKAGE DEAL...all or nothing.  

Answer 8

If you contact the school they can write you out a pass to present when cashing out. This will allow you only to pay for what you purchase.

Answer 9

I suggest you send a letter to the school board.  Don't bother the lunch lady or whoever is running the cafeteria, they usually don't have pricing authority.  

Don't preach them, just point out that it is unfair and ask them to provide soy milk as a substitute or reduce the cost.  

Having other vegans sign it as well will increase the impact.

Answer 10

I think you're being a little ridiculous and unfair. I mean I can understand how people won't eat meat because you're eating a previously living animal, but dairy, you're just going to harm yourself with unbalanced nutrition. And you're still developing as you are in school. I'm still in school too.

Answer 11

How about not going vegan and eat normal.

Answer 12

i woudl sa talk to the principla about it

tell her how u feel and yor choices and ask her if they could alter it

approach it in a very business like and polite way

and make sure u tell her how important it is to her.

maybe get a petition.

Answer 13

Get your school nurse's number and ask if there is a school dietitian and speak to them.

Answer 14

Talk to your school nurse and your principal regarding your dietary needs, and have them talk to the people who takes money for lunch.  Have your parents talk to the school as well.  At the same time, talk to the money takers as well and explain everything.  

For an easier solution, you can make your own lunch at home (vegan of course) and take it to school.  When you do, you have full control on what you are going to eat, and you do not have to worry about paying for what you are going to get.

Answer 15

Go talk to the principal and say that you want something non-dairy to drink instead of milk without any extra cost.  Yes, you can say, "I'm allergic" because that is a good keyword to use with adults.  They don't like accommodating people "just because".  You have to often include things where lawyers and lawsuits can be brought against the school.  For that matter, if  you don't get what you want, go to the local paper and tell them your story.

Answer 16

Say exactly what you are saying here-

That not everyone wants or drinks the milk and that an alternative would be appreciated.

You may not win the argument on it "being paid for" - kids turn away the veggies too and don't get a refund.

I would suggest you ask for a non-dairy alternative.

Depending on what state requirements are, they may not be allowed to offer anything else, but it never hurts to ask.

I would bring it up to the Principal and VP. You may also try suggesting it to the head of food services.

Answer 17

celticagent is right.  Milk is part of the school lunch program and is recommended by dieticians as a main source of calcium for kids.

To have the school offer alternatives for you would mean they would have to inventory all of those products clearly and obviously leading to higher costs for the school district that would have to be passed on to you.

I think you should just leave your milk in the cold case (you didn't actually pay for it anyway) and drink water or some other beverage you can bring from home (ice tea, lemonade, whatever).  Your request is an unreasonable burden on an already stressed system.

Answer 18

The school gets milk for free, or at least it is a subsidized federal program that provides funding for milk.  Hence, it's free to you.  If you want to buy something other than milk, it costs the school money (not free, as the milk is) and therefore they have to get compensated for the cost (hence the cost to you).

My advice is, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Anyway, milk is good for you - vegan or no - and if you're under 25, or a woman, you need the vitamins that come easily with milk

Answer 19

You should definitely ask. One suggestion though: It might be more effective to have your parents ask (assuming you're not a college student).  

Answer 20

Surely they have a policy in place for people who can't eat certain things because of allergies or religious reasons!

The easiest first step may just be speaking informally to whoever manages the cafeteria (try after lunch when they're not so busy, instead of before). It could be that as soon as they learn of your needs, they'll happily replace the milk with something else.

If that doesn't get anywhere, then you need to go official. Write a letter (on paper, mailed) to your school principal, being as objective and "professional" as you can. State clearly that you don't drink milk, you pay for your lunch like everyone else, and you expect to be provided an appropriate substitute: a bottle or orange or apple juice would be appropriate (not pop, which is sugary and unhealthy). If your parents can get on board and sign it too as your guardian, that adds it even more weight.

If the principal resists, then you go to HIS (or her) boss: the district school board.  

Answer 21

I would get together a petition and get signatures from lactose intolerant kids and other vegans (if there are any) and kids who don't drink milk for religious reasons in your school.  That should be something useful to present to your student council, along with a little research about non-dairy drinks they could offer for roughly the same cost.