Dear Ms. Donna Davis,

 

I hope this letter finds you well. Thank you so much for all of your hard work as the director of the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of health and Nutrition. I am writing to propose an initiative to incorporate plant-based meals into the Horry County Schools lunch program.

 

A growing body of scientific research supports the benefits of a plant-based diet for children’s health, cognitive development, athletic performance, and the environment. These benefits are aligned with our responsibility to care for both our students and our planet.

 

Health and Cognitive Development Benefits:

 • The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, one of the most comprehensive nutrition studies ever conducted, found a strong correlation between diets high in animal products and chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

 • The EPIC-Oxford Study found that vegetarians had a 23% lower risk of ischemic heart disease.

 • The Adventist Health Studies showed that vegetarian and vegan individuals have a significantly lower risk of obesity, hypertension, and certain cancers.

 • The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlights that plant-based diets provide essential nutrients that support mental clarity, mood regulation, and cognitive performance in growing children.

 • The Harvard Health Blog reports that vegetarian diets are associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.

 

As a certified holistic nutritionist and someone who has been plant-based for over 10 years, I have personally experienced the transformative power of this lifestyle. Eliminating inflammatory foods has improved my energy, digestion, skin, and mental clarity. I also have not been sick in years thanks to this lifestyle change. These are the same benefits we could offer our students daily.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), congenital heart defects affect approximately 1% of newborns in the United States, equating to about 40,000 births annually.  Additionally, the National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2024, approximately 14,910 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States.  These statistics highlight the critical need for preventive measures, including promoting healthier dietary habits from a young age. 

 

Furthermore, the CDC reports that over 13 million school days are missed each year in the U.S. due to asthma, with poor diet being a major contributing factor to inflammatory and respiratory issues in children. By providing nourishing, anti-inflammatory meals, we can enhance students’ health, reduce absenteeism, and improve academic performance.

 

Athletic Performance and Physical Benefits:

 • As shown in the documentary The Game Changers, elite athletes such as world record-holding strongman Patrik Baboumian, NFL linebacker Derrick Morgan, and Olympic cyclist Dotsie Bausch credit their plant-based diets for increased endurance, faster recovery, and reduced inflammation.

 • Numerous athletes in the film reported that switching to a plant-based diet not only enhanced their energy levels and physical strength but also improved sleep, mental focus, and long-term joint health. This could have powerful implications for our student-athletes as well.

 

Environmental Sustainability:

 • The United Nations Environment Programme confirms that a plant-based diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce one’s environmental footprint. Plant-based meals require significantly less land, water, and fossil fuel input than meat- or dairy-based meals.

 • According to Cowspiracy, animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, ocean dead zones, and water pollution.

 • The documentary also reveals the disturbing financial entanglements between major health organizations and the meat and dairy industries. For example, companies like the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association have accepted sponsorships from meat and dairy producers, which may compromise the dietary guidelines they promote to the public.

 

Negative Impacts of Meat and Dairy:

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40,000 babies are born each year in the United States with congenital heart defects, making it the most common type of birth defect. In addition, the National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2024, about 14,910 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 will be diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. These numbers reflect a growing concern for chronic illness in youth—conditions that research shows are heavily influenced by lifestyle and dietary choices. By shifting school meals toward more nutrient-dense, plant-based options, we have the opportunity to reduce inflammation, strengthen immune systems, and give students a better chance at a healthier future.

 

 • A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that high red and processed meat intake increases the risk of heart disease and colorectal cancer.

 • The World Health Organization has classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, linking it to increased cancer risk.

 • The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a link between high dairy intake and prostate cancer, and the Harvard Health Blog suggests dairy consumption may also contribute to acne, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance.

 • Contrary to popular belief, countries with the highest dairy intake—like the U.S. and Scandinavian nations—have some of the highest osteoporosis rates (American Journal of Public Health), challenging the myth that dairy builds strong bones.

 

Historical and Ethical Considerations:

 • Historically, regular meat consumption was reserved for royalty and the wealthy, while the majority of humanity thrived on plant-forward diets. It wasn’t until the industrial revolution—and a heavy wave of marketing in the 1950s—that meat and dairy were pushed as “essential” for health.

 • Plant-based diets are rooted in compassion, empathy, and non-violence—values that can be reinforced in our children through the food they eat each day.

 

Economic Benefits:

 • Plant-based staples like beans, rice, oats, and vegetables cost less per serving than meat and dairy, which can help reduce school meal costs.

 • Schools that have implemented plant-based options have reported reduced food waste and even improved student behavior and performance.

 

In sum, shifting toward plant-based meals in Horry County Schools is more than a dietary change—it’s a transformational step toward empowering students, preserving the environment, protecting animals, and creating a healthier future.

 

I’ve also started a petition to gather support from members of our community who share this vision. I would be honored to present it to you alongside this letter.

 

This petition is a seed—one that, if nurtured, could blossom into healthier children, a cleaner planet, and a more compassionate, conscious community.

 

By offering plant-based meals in schools, we are planting hope into the hearts and bodies of the next generation. These meals aren’t just food—they’re medicine, protection, and education. They support stronger immune systems, sharper minds, and reduced risk of chronic disease. Studies show plant-based diets help prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even behavioral issues tied to inflammation. Schools that have added plant-forward meals report better student focus, fewer absences, and even savings in their food budgets.

 

But the impact stretches far beyond the cafeteria. Shifting school meals toward plant-based options also reduces our carbon footprint, conserves water, and cuts down on food waste—key steps toward addressing climate change. It teaches our children how to care for their own health while respecting the planet and all life on it.

 

When we feed our children well, we feed the future well. This isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s about what kind of world we want to leave behind. By signing this petition, you’re helping to create a healthier, more sustainable, and more loving future for everyone.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration. I truly hope we can work together to bring this meaningful, impactful change to our schools.

 

Sincerely,

Catrina-Jade DeGrood

Former Horry County Schools Student 

Myrtle Beach High School 2017 Graduate

Certified Holistic Nutritionist