Spain makes plant-based school meals a legal right under new food legislation

From veganfoodandliving.com

New legislation in Spain will make plant-based school meals standard, ensuring healthier, more sustainable diets for children nationwide

School cafeterias across Spain will be required to offer plant-based meals under new legislation aimed at improving children’s diets and making vegan life easier for families.

The Royal Decree on Healthy and Sustainable School Cafeterias, passed in late April, applies to all public, private, and state-funded schools. It ensures that students can access fully plant-based meals in school. If a school can’t provide this, it must allow students to bring their own food and offer facilities to refrigerate and reheat it.

The decree is being seen as a major win for plant-based families. “We welcome the passing of this Royal Decree, which finally recognises the right of families to have a 100% plant-based menu in school canteens or at least measures to solve its absence,” said Verónica Larco, Senior Communications Manager at ProVeg Spain.

Larco added that ProVeg would be watching closely to see how the rules are adopted at the regional level.

The law also calls for an increase in the amount of fruit, vegetables, and legumes served in schools and for pupils to eat less sugar. These changes aim to align school menus with recommendations from health authorities, including Spain’s AESAN and the World Health Organisation.

Under the new legislation, if schools are unable to provide plant-based meals, they must offer facilities for vegan pupils to refrigerate and reheat their own meals. Photo © lithiumphoto/Adobe Stock

What the new decree means for plant-based schools in Spain

The Royal Decree aims to make school meals across Spain healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive of different dietary needs. In addition to providing plant-based meals or alternatives, it sets new standards for the overall quality of food offered in school cafeterias.

Legumes are a particular focus, with the law requiring weekly servings in line with official health guidelines. AESAN currently recommends eating legumes two to four times a week, with a long-term goal of daily consumption to reduce animal protein intake. However, only 14% of Spanish school canteens currently meet even the once-a-week standard.

Fresh fruit and vegetables must also be served daily, with a minimum of 45% coming from seasonal produce to support local agriculture and reduce environmental impact. The law also bans sugary foods and energy drinks, while limiting fried and ultra-processed food items.

ProVeg Spain hopes the changes will promote a more balanced diet and help children “learn about the benefits of a more plant-based diet,” Larco said.

The move has been welcomed by campaigners across Europe. It could inspire similar action in countries like the UK, where organisations such as ProVeg have already trialled school menu reform through initiatives like School Plates.

The Spanish decree may offer a working example for other governments looking to support both children’s health and environmental goals through plant-forward school policies.

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