Hungry for Hungry Planet’s Vegan Burger

While more and more vegan options are popping up in the Santa Barbara food scene, they can now be found in a very unsuspecting place: the school cafeteria. “The kids are eating it up,” said Nancy Weiss, food director for the S.B. Unified School District, which now offers a range of vegan alternatives as part of a wide effort to serve students healthier, more sustainable foods.

A key component of this shift is Hungry Planet, a family-owned company that makes plant-based meat alternatives. Weiss was introduced to the products by cofounder Jody Boyman, who has two kids in Santa Barbara High’s MAD Academy. “One bite, and I was like, ‘Wow, I’m sold!’” said Weiss. And she’s not alone — Hungry Planet’s burgers, sausages, and other products are finding their way into top restaurants around town as well.

Last year, the district and Hungry Planet partnered up for Earth Day to serve 100 percent vegan meatball subs, chicken chile verde burritos, and double cheeseburgers from their food truck. Sales tripled over previous years, and they sold out both days. Taking that as a sign, Weiss began offering vegan meals for kids at the school cafeterias on a call-ahead basis.