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Smack in the middle of cattle country, one Texas city is opting into eating more plants.

Fort Worth has rolled out several new efforts to encourage plant-based eating, including Lean & Green options district-wide and Meatless Mondays options at elementary and middle schools.

The concept is new to Fort Worth as of this school year.

“Fort Worth ISD did not have a Meatless Monday or Lean & Green program in place prior to this year,” says Alicia Smith, a dietician with the Fort Worth ISD. “We have always had vegetarian options on the menu, however, this year is the first year we have made a conscious effort to try to offer at least one vegetarian item every day.”

As part of the new effort, actress Daniella Monet of Nickelodeon’s Victorious helped roll out the options.

“Daniella met with the cafeteria staff to talk about the importance of what they serve to the students, she took a tour of the school garden where students taught her about what all they planted in their garden club,” says Smith. “Daniella presented to the 5th grade about the importance of being Lean & Green and her experience being a vegetarian. And last, she had lunch with select students who won a ‘Lean & Green’ drawing contest.”

The district decided to implement an official program after speaking with Eddie Garza of the Humane Society of the U.S. The HSUS has worked with dozens of schools across the country to get Meatless Monday and Lean & Green efforts in place.

The city itself is supporting healthier choices, too.

“We’re working to make it easier for people to make healthier choices that fit their lifestyles,” explains Mayor Betsy Price. “For instance, with the support of local restaurants, (over 15 across Fort Worth) have pledged to make it easier for our citizens who are dining out to make healthier choices ordering off of set menus.”

Mayor Price is leading the Blue Zone Project, an effort to help the city’s residents followed the healthy living guidelines outlined in Dan Buettner’s book, “The Blue Zone Solution: Eating and Living Like the World’s Healthiest People.”

“Access to plant-based nutrition and quality dietary choices play a big role in the overall health of a thriving city,” Mayor Price adds. “We are finding a greater need to encourage these healthy habits, especially for children who are at a crucial age for overall development.”

“Plant-based diets are consistently linked to lower obesity rates, cholesterol levels and blood pressure,” explains Smith of the district’s decision to encourage plant-based options. “The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that this type of diet is appropriate for all stages of life from childhood to adulthood. Our goal is to provide students with opportunities to excel in every aspect of life which includes teaching them about the benefits of choosing healthy meals.”

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