It’s International School Meals Day tomorrow, and this year, the focus is on sustainable nutrition. To celebrate, we’d like to share some of our favourite recipes made from beans and legumes, which are some of the most accessible, nutritious and carbon-friendly ingredients you can include in school meals.
Beans and legumes are low-carbon, budget-friendly and used widely in recipes all over the world. They’re nutritional powerhouses, full of fibre, protein and energy to keep young minds focussed and nourished. You can add these ingredients to most dishes – even desserts!
Black Bean Noodle Bowl (ve)
This delicious ramen-style dish is packed full of sweet and savoury flavours. Perfect for a warming, healthy lunch, this dish has proved popular with children and adults alike! Sumptuous black beans, Chinese 5 spice and protein-packed edamame beans elevate this dish to the next level. Get the full recipe here.
Shredded Tofu Tacos with Refried Beans (ve)
This plant-based twist on a classic favourite brings together the rich, savoury flavours of our shredded tofu and hearty refried beans, all wrapped in a crispy taco shell. Whether you’re new to plant-based eating or a seasoned pro, this recipe is a delicious way to incorporate more tofu on your menus. Get the full recipe here.
Planet-friendly Cheese Burger (ve)
Our cheese burger recipe is a melt-in-your-mouth, plant-based delight. Crafted with a hearty bean and lentil patty (see recipe here) and served with classic, fresh toppings, it’s the perfect fusion of wholesome nutrition and bursting flavours. Easy to prepare and cheap to make – it’s a family favourite in the making. Get the full recipe here.
Crunchy Lemon Falafel Wrap with Tzatziki (ve)
You can’t beat a falafel wrap, especially when it’s 100% plant-based! With delicious spices and zesty lemon, our falafel recipe makes for a delicious wrap, smothered in our homemade tzatziki sauce. This recipe is designed especially for schools, meaning it’s as high in nutritional-value as it is budget-friendly. Get the full recipe here.
Sticky Chocolate Brownie with Banana Nice Cream (ve)
Desserts don’t have to be full of saturated fat to be tasty. Our sticky chocolate brownies and banana nice cream are a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional brownies and ice cream, and are 100% plant-based. They’ve even got chewy black beans inside them to boost fibre – but we bet the kids won’t even notice. Get the full recipe here.
International School Meals Day (ISMD) is a unique campaign with the aim of raising awareness of good nutrition for all children regardless of their circumstances. This year is the 12th ISMD, with the theme ‘Innovation in school meals: new routes to sustainable nutrition’. By encouraging children to eat more beans and legumes, we can create more sustainable and nutritious school menus all across the world. Check out the incredible work our partners at Beans Is How are doing to increase the global uptake of beans for this exact reason, or learn more about ISMD here.