Photo GIS/ Director of Education Clare Browne distributes meals in Barbuda

School Meals Programme Rejects Claims Over Alleged ‘Vegetarian’ Meal

The National School Meals Programme has rejected allegations circulating on social media that a vegetarian meal served at a local school was substandard, saying the claims misrepresent both its procedures and food standards.

In a statement issued this week, officials said no vegetarian meal had been registered for the school prior to the incident. Under established guidelines, vegetarian meals are prepared only upon advance registration to allow for proper planning, food safety compliance and resource management.

According to the Programme, no such request was submitted up to the day before the meal in question. Officials explained that the teacher referenced in the post did not register for a vegetarian option in advance but instead collected the standard meal and requested only the vegetable components at the serving point, which were provided.

The Programme further stated that the image shared online appeared to have been presented in a way that did not reflect the usual quality and presentation of meals prepared daily.

Reaffirming its mandate, the Programme said it remains committed to providing balanced and nutritious meals to children across Antigua and Barbuda and would not knowingly serve food that is substandard or unfit.

Officials also urged educators and members of the public to raise concerns through established channels to allow for prompt review, cautioning that misrepresentation undermines the work of staff who prepare and distribute thousands of meals each day.