VEGANS are calling on schools across Darlington to put more plant-based products on the plates of the town’s children.

Letters have been sent out to all schools asking that they review their menus and offer the choice of a vegan meal alongside more traditional dishes.

Campaign group The Darlington Vegans are also calling on the town’s council to do whatever is in its power to encourage schools to offer meals that do not contain meat or dairy products.

The letters, sent to all primary and secondary schools in the area, say: “There may already be vegan children in your school who have resorted to bringing in a packed lunch if there is no vegan option available.

“Veganism is growing rapidly, particularly amongst the young – it is important that they have as equal access to other children to nutritious, healthy food.

“It’s important to add that anyone can eat vegan food and that a well-balanced, plant-based diet is now recognised as healthy for young and old alike.

“By offering a vegan option at meal times, a school will also be offering the opportunity for all pupils to have access to nutritious and wholesome food.”

It goes on to point out that food standards for schools in England state that all children should be encouraged to have a meat-free day each week and that an increase in the proportion of vegan options on school menus can “promote sustainability”.

Kathy Barley, on behalf of Darlington Vegans, said that the move could also help in the battle against climate change and was beneficial from a health perspective.

She added: “I speak to a lot of young people who say that they would like to adopt a plant based diet but their parents don’t go down that route and this would also give them an option to have something to eat at school.

“Most schools in Darlington offer a vegetarian option but not many offer vegan food, as the meals are often made with cheese.

“I’d like to see the council ask schools to do this but I’m not expecting miracles, this is quite a new thing for a lot of people who may not know much about the environmental and health benefits so it could take time.”

A spokeswoman for Darlington's council said that the authority did not have control over school meal provision and that such decisions would have to be made by individual schools.

While there is no legislation to require schools to offer vegan meals, they do have a duty to make reasonable changes, where requested.

The Vegan Society suggests offering children menus featuring meals that contain alternatives to meat such as beans, chickpeas, lentils, soya mince, tofu or Quorn.