With over 7 billion individual school meals served each year in the United States, the school food market presents an extraordinary opportunity for plant-based food brands. Schools are increasingly looking for healthy, affordable, plant-based alternatives to incorporate into their menus, yet the availability of products that meet their nutritional standards and budget constraints remains limited.

As schools work to provide healthier meal options, they need more plant-based Meat/Meat Alternate (M/MA) products to meet the USDA’s school meal program requirements. According to Amie Hamlin, Executive Director of the Coalition for Healthy School Food, this creates a significant opportunity for manufacturers. “School food service directors have felt frustrated at the lack of manufactured vegan items that meet school meal regulations and price points,” Hamlin notes.

The USDA’s school meal program requires that each lunch offer five components: a main dish (M/MA), grain, vegetable, fruit, and milk. Though fruits, vegetables, and grains are already plant-based, the focus is on sourcing innovative M/MA products that fit the program’s requirements. Schools are looking for items such as tofu, tempeh, beans, and plant-based meats, but many have yet to find enough affordable and properly formulated options to meet these standards.

Hamlin explains that the M/MA component often needs to consist of 2 ounces of meat or a meat equivalent, which can be achieved with ingredients like ½ cup of beans, 2 ounces of tempeh, or 4.4 ounces of tofu. “If the M/MA isn’t straightforward, like a typical plant-based patty, manufacturers must obtain a Child Nutrition designation or fill out a Product Formulation Statement to verify it meets USDA standards,” says Hamlin.

Pricing is a key consideration for manufacturers looking to enter the school food market. School districts have tight budgets and typically pay around $.76 to $1.20 per serving for main dish items, depending on whether the product also contains a grain or vegetable component. As Hamlin points out, “When creating a M/MA component, manufacturers need to consider how the product will credit within the USDA meal pattern and fit the school meal budget constraints.”

To succeed in this market, manufacturers must also be aware of school-specific guidelines, such as ingredient restrictions in districts like New York City, which prohibits certain unhealthy ingredients. Understanding the regulations and creating products that meet both nutritional and budgetary requirements is essential. “The Coalition for Healthy School Food can help guide manufacturers through the regulations and provide support,” says Hamlin.

For those interested in exploring opportunities in the school food market, Plant Based World Expo in New York City presents the perfect opportunity. Attendees can meet with Amie Hamlin at the event to discuss how their products can enter this growing market and support the mission of providing healthier, plant-based meals in schools. For those interested in setting up a meeting, email Amie Hamlin at [email protected].

The Coalition also has opportunities for sponsorship, allowing companies that are passionate about transforming the school food landscape to support the non-profit while getting their name front and center to potential school food buyers and menu-makers.

The school food market represents a huge potential for growth in the plant-based sector. With the right products and support, brands can tap into a market that serves millions of meals a day and makes a lasting impact on the health and well-being of students across the country. To learn more, visit the Coalition for Healthy School Food at Plant Based World Expo and start the journey toward getting your plant-based products on school menus.