Vegetarian Mondays for Croydon schools come a step closer
By Aline Nassif
aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk
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VEGGIE GOOD IDEA: Nitin Mehta wants to see Croydon go veggie on Mondays
Vegetarian Mondays are a step closer to becoming a reality in Croydon as a motion to approve them will go before councillors - aptly on a Monday.
Nitin Mehta, founder of the Indian Cultural Centre, in Thornton Heath, wants Croydon Council to designate the first day of each week as "meat-free".
He particularly wants to see schools serve veggie menus on Mondays.
And he is rejoicing at the news that Croydon's Labour opposition leader Tony Newman will be proposing a motion to make Mondays meat free at tomorrow's (Monday's) full council meeting.
Mr Mehta said: "This is fantastic news, I really do hope the motion is approved.
"Even though Councillor Newman is proposing the motion I have spoken with the leader of the council Mike Fisher who is enthusiastic about it.
"Cllr Fisher has asked me to have a meeting with him to discuss how we would make Veggie Mondays work.
"Skipping meat for a day is not going to ruin anyone's quality of life, but it will make a huge difference to the wellbeing of our planet."
Lifelong vegetarian Mr Mehta points out that livestock production currently accounts for almost 20 per cent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
If the motion is approved at the council meeting, the borough's schools and other state-funded organisations will have a duty to abstain from serving up meat on the first day of the week.
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by caz, Croydon
Friday, March 26 2010, 1:58PM
“Now that is funny Anne!”
by ANNE, SELSDON
Friday, March 26 2010, 1:25PM
“The cause of the emissions is vegetarian food - particularly beans, making humans break wind constantly.”
by Anon, Anon
Thursday, March 25 2010, 4:47PM
“Thanks Dubious.
It's about time someone exposed climate change for the lie it is.
You notice that no one calls it global warming anymore? That's because they discovered it doesnt exist.”
by Dubious, Croydon
Thursday, March 25 2010, 1:26PM
“I notice that the claims relating to climate change caused by raising livestock have been debunked by an air quality scientist and are back 'under review' at the UN. (search for "Livestock's Long Shadow" on a news site if you're interested. Such as this from The First Post http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/61387,news-comment,news-politics,meat-eaters-causing-climate-change-united-nations-admits-vegetarians-global-warming )
It turns out farm animals probably aren't responsible for 20% of emissions - probably only 3%. The original report had serious errors and failed to take account of other factors that can cause emissions.
So perhaps not such a good idea to ban meat now Croydon Council.”
by misterkipling, Croydon
Thursday, March 25 2010, 1:45AM
“This is an excellent idea, forcing vegetarianism onto the children of Croydon.
Will Meat Free Monday be fair and balanced? You obviously don't want to force eating beliefs onto only certain people or you are shunning others by distinguishing they are different.
If you force Vegetarianism on kids then you need to also force a carnivore day.
Meat free Monday, Bacon sandwich Wednesday (even if your religion doesn't like it) and then we can't exclude certain races, that's very racist so to avoid offending the Koreans we can have Doggy Friday.
Of obviously we could have it as Meat Free Option Monday, and then the Rabbi's son doesn't get forced Bacon and Lassie comes home that week.
Personally I would just ensure all kids meals include a helping of fruit and veg that isn't deep fried”