Veganism in Brazil Becomes Popular, Schools Replace Menu with Vegan Options

Veganism in Brazil is growing popular. People are becoming more conscious about their health and trying to cut down meat in favor of the environment. There are efforts to raise awareness about meat consumption reduction but others are not happy about it.

According to Breitbart, a school initiative called "Sustainable Schools" program is being implemented in four municipalities in Bahía state. This is after public ministry prosecutor Leticia Baird revealed that there is a growing interest and curiosity among Brazilians about veganism. The program will try to replace school lunch meals with vegan options. At the end of the year, if all goes to plan, the era of meat and potatoes lunch meal will end in Bahia.

Baird added that vegan meals would not only benefit the children but also help save the environment and protect the welfare of animals. The ingredients for the meat-replacement meals will be sourced locally, helping local growers in the community in return. The plan seems to be a win-win situation for all. That is until the children started missing their meats.

The report added that cooks prepared meals that are barely edible, which prompted children to throw them away in the garbage. As a result, the children come home hungry, affecting their performance in schools as a consequence. Others have started to bring meat meals during lunch breaks.

In other parts of the nation such as Sao Paulo and Distrito Federal, the transition to veganism has been gradual. Meat alternatives were introduced as early as February this year. The students were also consulted on the menu that they wanted. In June, meat products ceased to exist but that was because the contract of the meat supplier has not been renewed, for allegedly violating the terms by supplying high-fat content meat.

Ariane Souza Santiago Silva, a local town official, says that the move to have vegan meals is a disrespect to the culture of Brazil. The country is heaven for meat lovers. Barbecues and tacos are a favorite here. Last year, the South American nation is the world's largest beef exporter, with India a close second. The meat exports fetched $6.57 billion in revenue for Brazil. Moreover, the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service estimates that the growth will continue in the next years and projects exports could reach 2.9 million metric tons in 2028.

The report added that the cattle are mostly grass-fed and that Hong Kong and China are the biggest recipients of beef from Brazil. Because of the thriving industry, a lot are blaming the local producers for the fire that almost devoured the Amazon forest. The environment tragedy was so big, others have called it an "international crisis". Greenpeace believes the forest was burned down intentionally to give way for soy production and cattle grazing, People reported.

As a result, there are demands to review the beef export from Brazil to curb the demand for the meat. In other parts of the world, there is also a growing curiosity about going vegan or transitioning diet to meat alternatives.

Brazil must strike a balance soon between giving the meat producers the leeway to grow and generate income for the country and also curb the increasing demand so that the environment and the health of the children will be given more importance. Veganism in Brazil is a real chance to change things up. It now depends on the people on how soon they can embrace such changes.