PLANT-FRIENDLY school meals have earned North Yorkshire a national award in the search for the greenest school menus in the UK.

North Yorkshire County Council’s school meals service came second in the Green School Meal League.

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The league was launched earlier this year by Meatless Farm in collaboration with Omari McQueen, the UK’s youngest vegan chef, and non-for profit organisation ProVeg UK.

The Northern Echo: Veg curry and savoury rice Picture: North Yorkshire County CouncilVeg curry and savoury rice Picture: North Yorkshire County Council

It was launched in a bid to find the UK’s greenest school menu to educate and encourage children to eat more sustainable food.

According to the Council it aims to offer a range of sustainable menu options, with a meat-free day each week and a plant-based option three times per week.

Kath Breckon, North Yorkshire’s school meals development chef, said more and more families are “starting to eat more plant-based meals.”

The Northern Echo: Kath BreckonKath Breckon

She added: “It’s also about being sustainable and supporting local businesses. Our vegetables all come from local supplies and even our dry goods come from no further than Wakefield.

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“We use the ‘farm to fork’ approach which means we know exactly where our food has come from.

“We put a lot of thought into making sure our vegetarian meals are full of colour and variety.”

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