People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals loves its rankings, and I can't resist when Baltimore ends up on the list. This time, peta2, the animal rights group's youth offshoot, says Baltimore City schools has the nation's most vegetarian-friendly cafeteria.
The school system's Meatless Monday seems to have put it over the top of four other school districts in Georgia, Virginia and California in the public school category.
Burgers all around for the winners. Just kidding. The schools will get a framed certificate and a thank-you card signed by peta2 staffers.
Baltimore was the only district to participate in Meatless Mondays, and offers such items as spicy vegetarian chili, meatless lasagne and Tex-Mex style black-bean nachos. The judges also noted the city's partnership with local farmers and food distributors that brings in fresh, locally raised fruits and vegetables to the students.
"Baltimore City Public Schools stands as a role model for school districts across the country when it comes to educating students about how their food choices affect not only their own health but also the world around them," said peta2 director Dan Shannon in a statement. "More and more young people are learning that the best thing that they can do for animals, the planet, and themselves is to go vegan."
Photo courtesy of The Monday Campaign