Saucon Valley High School students who are interested in developing alternative eating habits such as veganism can find support in a new club, organizers told the school board at their meeting Tuesday.
Students for Health and Nutrition will be a place where students can learn about healthy eating and environmentally-friendly food choices, they said.
Student leader Lindsay Dortic said the club will provide students with an encouraging environment in which to discuss nutrition and share recipes that are vegan, vegetarian, nut-free and gluten-free.
“I am vegan. I’ve been vegan for around two years,” Dortic explained. “Here’s the thing though: I’m not trying to just have a club full of vegans or vegetarians. If anything, the more meat eaters that show up, the better.”
Her co-leader and best friend, Maddie Lohr, is vegetarian and “almost vegan,” Dortic noted.
“Our goal is not to shame people for eating meat, but just simply to inform people about veganism and vegetarianism,” Dortic said. “It’s not about cutting things from your diet, but adding abundance.”
“This club is going to be open for anyone who wants to find some new recipes or who wants to clear up some misconceptions about plant-based diets,” she explained. “I love talking to people about why I’m vegan and why I made that choice, so the more students I could have in that classroom, the better.”
Club activities could include watching food-related documentaries such as “What the Health” and “Cowspiracy,” discussing the science behind a plant-based diet, maintaining a club blog, discussing books about health and nutrition, making and sharing flyers and posters to promote awareness around the school, and holding a vegan bake sale fundraiser, Dortic said.
Other goals include creating a social media page for the club, inviting educational guest speakers to come and speak on related subjects and developing a compost pile and garden somewhere on the district’s campus.
“We’d like to meet once a week as soon as the club is up and running,” Dortic said, adding that they are thinking of meeting in the classrom of their teacher advisor, Alexia Harstine.
“Can parents join?” asked board vice president Dr. Shamim Pakzad.
“Of course,” Dortic enthused. “That would be awesome.”
“We’re glad you’re here,” said Superintendent Dr. Craig Butler. “We appreciate your enthusiasm. Good luck with the club and thanks for updating the board.”
To watch the board meeting on YouTube, click here.
The next Saucon Valley School Board meeting will be held Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. in the high school Audion room. Draft meeting agendas are posted in advance on the district’s website, where there is also a link to watch them live online.
