New Book Empowers Kids to Save the Planet with Veg-Friendly Food

Contact: Nadia Schilling, nadia@idausa.org, 415-448-0072

Images and sample: http://bit.ly/2dhRZoN

San Rafael, California (September 29, 2016) - In Defense of Animals is pleased to announce the release of breakthrough children’s nutrition book, Eating Lean and Green with Super Foods to Save the Planet. Created as a tool for teachers, the book’s compelling photographs and motivational messages engage kids and empower them to make the world a better place by choosing more vegetarian and vegan-friendly meals.

The colorful and engaging nutrition education book is written by Barbara Cole Gates, founder and president of children’s eco​-health education and advocacy organization, Lean and Green Kids.

“I don’t have a background in business. I’m not a politician. I’m a mom and I saw a need for profound change in what our kids are eating in the school cafeteria,” said Gates.

Her advocacy through her local Parent Teacher Association eventually led to the California State Capitol, where she spearheaded a campaign to pass the California Healthy School Lunch Act. The Act is the first legislation of its kind calling for daily plant-based vegetarian school lunch options.

Gates went on to found Lean and Green Kids, creating multi-cultural and vegan-friendly nutrition education programs to encourage students to choose the new plant-based school lunch options.

Hundreds of schools are already benefiting from the organization’s The Daily Scoop, a series of fun, consistent and easy to understand daily nutrition tips for kids that are added to daily school-wide announcements or teachers’ opening routines.

Lean and Greek Kids’ The Daily Scoop nutrition program reaches thousands of students in elementary schools, and is praised by health and education professionals alike.

Award-winning Food and Nutrition Services Director of California’s Novato Unified School District, Miguel Villarreal, is recommending Lean and Green Kids nutrition education programs and its new book, “The Daily Scoop, and now this environmentally themed children’s nutrition book certainly helps to support the efforts of school food professionals working hard to create student acceptability of healthy plant-based school lunch options.”

“Eating Lean and Green with Super Foods to Save the Planet teaches kids how plant-based meals not only can help us feel our best, but also has a profoundly positive impact on the environment,” said Dr Marilyn Kroplick, President of In Defense of Animals.

“Mounting evidence shows that animal agriculture is a leading cause of environmental degradation, which has led environmentalists to rapidly start to promoting more plant-based eating. Lean and Green Kids’ new book is an important tool that empowers young people to help themselves while helping animals and the planet.”

Eating Lean and Green with Super Foods to Save the Planet will be published on Monday, October 3 and is available to pre-order now for just $12, with all profits benefiting Lean and Green Kids www.leanandgreenkids.org

### ENDS ###

Lean and Green Kids is a children’s eco​-health education and advocacy organization. Its mission is to help kids reach their full, beautiful and powerful potential, while creating a healthier, happier and greener world. In Defense of Animals works with Lean and Green Kids to inspire, educate and support children to choose healthful, plant-based food www.idausa.org/leanandgreenkids

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats through education, campaigns, and hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • 415-448-0048