Recently, Farm Sanctuary chatted with activist Margot Blanco and Youth Leadership Council member Morgan Greenlaw about their recent victory in getting plant-based food options into California schools. Not only are these teens revolutionizing how they and their fellow students eat, but they are also looking to the future of how their work and endeavors can benefit other causes close to them. And, did we mention they’re good friends?

How did both of you become so passionate about plant-based eating?

Greenlaw: In third grade, I went vegetarian and I just learned a lot about how eating plant-based is one of the most impactful and effective decisions any individual can make. And, I mean, humans eat food whether you’re eating plant-based or animal, so it’s just really easy to incorporate that.

Blanco: So, I went vegetarian after I reconnected with Morgan in middle school, because we had known each other since the second grade. Then she kind of taught me about the possibility of eating plant-based. Up until then, I was raised in a traditionally Spanish house, and that just wasn’t ever presented as an option. So we realized it’s very likely that people don’t realize it’s an option for them culturally and traditionally. I attended a program over the summer, and I learned the power of activism in your community. So I was, like, “What’s the most effective way to teach people about eating plant-based and creating a viable impact at Palo Alto (High School)?” The simple solution was by changing school meals to more plant-forward options.

Obviously, you were quite successful in that endeavor. What was the feedback you got from faculty or maybe fellow students once you achieved your goal?

Blanco: Well, first of all – especially from nutrition services – they were extremely hesitant about moving forward with a more plant-forward diet because the budget for the cafeteria was getting cut, or at least they were having to have more expenditures over the years. So they were extremely hesitant. But then when we started putting effort into releasing plant-based meals that students were actually interested in and showed engagement in –  I mean, I remember we spoke to the nutrition services director, and she was extremely pleased with student feedback. Also, I’ve been talking to many students who, in the past were – I mean, they were relying on school meals, but they couldn’t ever find meals that were culturally accurate. And once they started seeing representation of their culture, they were extremely pleased. 

Morgan, you’re a member of YLC at Farm Sanctuary. Can you tell me a little about how you found your way into that program?

Greenlaw: I got an email about it, and then I looked it up, and I was, like, “Oh, my gosh. This looks amazing!” So then I applied, then I joined. Then Chloe (Manager, Sanctuary Experience and Learning Chloe Fuller) emailed me, then asked if I would be interested in being interviewed, and I was, like, “Of course, but you’ve got to also talk to my friend Margot because she started the campaign.” So that’s how we ended up here.

Blanco: When we first started the campaign, we sometimes would go around during lunch asking people to sign our petitions for more plant-based lunches, and so many people would be put off by hearing the word “vegan.” Just because there’s so many stereotypes around veganism and the insinuation that vegans polarize and criticize people who don’t eat like them. I started adapting my language, and we started using the language, “plant-based” and “plant-forward.” We also started talking about the environment, and yet, few talk about or know about the effects of plant-based eating, so we started bringing that in the conversation, and from there, we noticed a lot of response.

Oh, wow! That’s amazing. I love that for you both. That’s such a great way to get people engaged. Now, why do you both feel food choice matters?

Greenlaw: I think it’s important because it’s something that every individual can do. A lot of times, we hear about turning off the lights and shaving a few minutes off your shower time, and those do save a little bit. But eating plant-based has such a bigger impact and it’s something everyone can do – not necessarily that everyone go 100% vegan, but just shifting toward a more plant-centered diet is just extremely impactful.

Blanco: I would also add an emphasis on water preservation, which Morgan kind of touched on. I think it’s especially important since we’re living in California. I mean, we’ve been in a drought for however many years? And I know when I’m driving on the highway, I see signs or billboards to take shorter showers; turn off your faucets, and I know those are government, state-funded. And there’s never any information on the vast water that eating plant-based can save. It’s ridiculous – just the difference in water that eating vegetarian for a week versus taking a shorter shower. I mean, so few people know about it, but it’s so pertinent to living in California and to the climate crisis.

Finally, any last words? What are your hopes for the future as activists and within the plant-based movement?

Greenlaw: As for me, I just am so passionate about this topic. It was really exciting to work on this campaign, and it just fills me with good vibes thinking about all the plant-based options that were offered. And I’m just excited to move forward and keep making an impact.

Blanco: I would second everything Morgan just said. I would say working with friends I really care about – I love you, Morgan!

Aw!

(Everyone laughs)

Blanco: Finding your people and working for something that you really care about and not only working for something that we want to see but something that we know will improve the well-being of our community fills me with so much satisfaction and joy. And if I could give a message to anyone reading this, I guess I would say: Most of my life, I’ve been eating animals and it was only when I was introduced to to the possibility of eating plant-based – just introducing more plants in my diet, that I realized that it was a possibility at any point in life. No matter your cultural heritage, or your standing with your family, if you really care about something, you can make that change. One individual can make a whole lot of impact, as we’ve seen.

***This interview has been edited for length.