At Solid Rock Community School in Florida, lunch is more than just a midday break—it's a movement. As one of only two schools in the entire United States to offer a 100% plant-based lunch program, Solid Rock is taking a stand for student health, sustainability, and compassion. But this pioneering effort comes with its own set of hurdles—starting with an outdated government mandate that threatens to block federal funding for meals that don’t include dairy.

In the latest interview on UnchainedTV, award-winning journalist Jane Velez-Mitchell sits down with Solid Rock Founder and Director Michele Fasnacht to uncover the inspiring story behind this school's fight for the right to serve healthy, dairy-free, plant-based meals to its students.
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https://solidrockflorida.org/unchained/

The Dairy Dilemma
Believe it or not, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) requires dairy to be offered with school lunches for schools to receive federal reimbursement—even though the National Institutes of Health reports that a staggering 68% of humans are lactose intolerant. For children who are lactose intolerant, that carton of milk can lead to stomach upset, discomfort, and more serious digestive issues.

That’s why Solid Rock Community School has taken a bold step. Their cafeteria serves fresh, chef-prepared, plant-based meals—completely free of dairy and other animal products. But because of this choice, the school currently doesn’t qualify for the usual government reimbursement of about $4 per meal—a vital source of funding, especially when nearly half of the school’s 200+ students come from low-income families.

A Mission-Driven School with a Unique Vision
“At Solid Rock, we believe every child deserves nourishing, compassionate food,” says Director, Michele Fasnacht. “It’s not just about meeting calories—it’s about feeding minds and hearts with meals that align with our values of wellness, sustainability, and kindness.”

Unlike many public schools that serve processed or prepackaged meals, Solid Rock’s kitchen is run by professional chefs who cook from scratch daily. Their recipes use whole foods, colorful produce, and vibrant flavors—some ingredients even harvested from the school’s own seed-to-table garden.

For many students, these lunches represent their only reliable source of fresh, plant-based nutrition each day. But funding remains a critical challenge.

The Fight for Federal Approval
Solid Rock and their families are now working hard to achieve a historic breakthrough: an exemption from the NSLP program that would allow them to be reimbursed for plant-based meals that exclude dairy. If successful, this could open the door for other schools across the nation to follow suit—paving the way for a new standard in school nutrition that reflects current science and respects dietary diversity.

But regardless of whether the NSLP grants the exemption, the Solid Rock lunch program still needs support. The cost of feeding students with or without federal assistance is immense—and the school is asking for public help to continue providing these high-quality, plant-based meals. That includes everything from staffing and kitchen equipment to the fresh, whole ingredients that go into every dish.

How You Can Help

Your contribution can make a direct impact on the lives of students in need:

$7 – Feeds one student for one day

$35 – One week of lunches

$140 – One month of lunches

$1,260 – One full school year of lunches

Any amount helps Solid Rock sustain and grow this trailblazing program

“This isn’t just about lunch,” Fasnacht says. “It’s about equity, it’s about health, it’s about creating a more compassionate world—starting with our kids.”

A Message of Compassion and Change

By standing up to outdated food policies and refusing to compromise their values, Solid Rock Community School is inspiring others to rethink what’s possible in public education. They’re showing that plant-based, dairy-free meals can be not only healthy and sustainable, but also delicious and joyful.

“This is about showing young people that the food they eat matters,” says Fasnacht. “That meals can be kind—to their bodies, to the planet, and to the animals.”

Through their work, Solid Rock is leading a movement that could one day reshape school lunch programs nationwide. And with public support, they can continue to feed students nourishing meals while advocating for long-overdue policy change.

For more on this inspiring story, watch Jane Velez-Mitchell’s full interview with Michele Fasnacht on UnchainedTV.