This article explores the growing movement towards plant-based diets in the United States, focusing on recent legislative efforts, the impact of food choices on climate change and health, and the role of government and private sector initiatives in promoting plant-based options. The information is compiled from various sources, including proposed legislation, reports, and statements from public officials and organizations.
Legislative Initiatives Supporting Plant-Based Diets
Several legislative initiatives have been introduced to promote plant-based diets in schools and federal facilities. Some of the bills are:
- H.R. 5867: Plant-Powered School Meals Pilot Act: This bill aims to enhance school meal programs by providing 100% plant-based food options to students. It establishes a pilot grant program overseen by the Secretary of Agriculture, awarding grants to eligible school food authorities to implement plant-based food initiatives. Participating schools are required to maintain records and submit annual reports on their programs.
- Healthy Future Students and Earth Pilot Program Act: Introduced by Representatives Nydia M. Velázquez and Jamaal Bowman, this bill would create a voluntary grant program for school districts to provide healthier, climate-friendly, and culturally appropriate plant-based entrée options to students. The bill prioritizes school districts serving a high population of food-insecure students.
These legislative efforts reflect a growing recognition of the potential benefits of plant-based diets for both public health and the environment.
The Climate Connection to Plant-Based Diets
The environmental impact of food production is a significant concern, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions. Studies have shown that animal-based foods tend to be more carbon-intensive than plant-based foods. In March 2024, 55 members of Congress signed a letter urging President Biden to increase the availability of plant-based options in all federal facilities nationwide, highlighting the climate benefits of plant-based diets.
The letter, led by Representative Jamie Raskin, cites research indicating that plant-based diets can reduce global climate-warming emissions by 75 percent, as well as decrease land and water use compared to industrial livestock farming. The letter emphasizes that the federal government can lead by example in promoting plant-based food procurement. The letter also connects diet-related diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic disease, to the potential of plant-based diets in mitigating these health risks.
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New York City has also recognized the significant impact of food consumption on its overall emissions. An inventory developed by the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) found that food-related emissions account for 20 percent of New York City's overall emissions, making it the third-largest source behind buildings and transportation. The inventory includes emissions from the production of goods and services consumed by New Yorkers, regardless of where the production occurs.
Health Benefits of Plant-Based Diets
Research indicates that plant-based diets can offer numerous health benefits, including helping individuals maintain a healthy weight and reducing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. According to the CDC, a significant percentage of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese. Increasing access to plant-based meal options in schools can help reduce the risk of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, particularly for children from underserved communities who rely on school meals as a primary source of nutrition.
Initiatives in New York City
New York City has taken several steps to promote plant-based diets and reduce food-related emissions. Mayor Eric Adams has committed to reducing the city’s food-based emissions at agencies by 33 percent by 2030 and is challenging private sector partners to cut their food emissions by 25 percent during the same period.
NYC Health + Hospitals is on track to serve over three-quarters of a million plant-based meals this year. By serving plant-based meals as the default option and improving patients’ food experience, NYC Health + Hospitals aims to reduce its food-based carbon emissions by 36 percent as of February 2023 while reducing the public health burden of diet-related disease.
Mayor Adams also updated the city’s Food Standards, aligning public health and climate goals. The city is also participating in the C40 Good Food Cities Declaration, committing to increase access to plant-forward and nutritious food for city residents and halve the city’s food waste.
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USDA Dietary Patterns
The USDA Dietary Patterns serve as a flexible framework to help individuals customize and enjoy nutrient-dense food and beverage choices that align with personal preferences, cultural foodways, and budgetary considerations, as recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Patterns identify amounts of foods, in nutrient-dense forms, from each of the five major food groups and their subgroups. They also include an allowance for oils and a limit on the maximum number of calories available for other uses, such as added sugars, refined starches, saturated fat, and alcohol, or to eat more than the recommended amount of a nutrient-dense food.
The USDA Dietary Patterns are developed to align with evidence from systematic reviews showing relationships between diet and health outcomes and to meet nutrient needs of individuals at various life stages as established in the Dietary Reference Intakes.
Three USDA Dietary Patterns have been developed to provide a flexible framework for achieving a healthy dietary pattern. can follow. of all ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities typically consume, but in nutrient-dense forms and in amounts that stay within specific calorie levels.
Voices in Support of Plant-Based Diets
Various individuals and organizations have voiced their support for promoting plant-based diets.
- Representative Velázquez emphasized the importance of healthy, nutritious, and sustainable meals that respect individual choices.
- Representative Bowman highlighted the need to build sustainable food systems and advance food justice in marginalized communities.
- Asha Subramanian, MD, MPH, emphasized the potential of plant-based school meal options to reduce the risk of health problems for children.
- Genesis Butler, the founder of Youth Climate Save, urged support for the Healthy Future Students and Earth Act to provide access to plant-based meals for youth.
- Eloísa Trinidad, New York City Chapter President for Hip Hop is Green and Executive Director of Chilis on Wheels, stressed the importance of providing proper sustenance through school food to empower students for a better future.
- Chef Ann Cooper, founder of the Chef Ann Foundation, noted the barriers schools face in serving plant-based meal options and the need to level the playing field.
- Peter Lehner, Managing Attorney of the Sustainable Food & Farming Program at Earthjustice, emphasized the climate-friendly benefits of plant-based meals and the negative environmental impacts of industrial meat production.
The Importance of Procurement Practices
Amending existing procurement practices for food purchases can significantly reduce a city’s food-based emissions. Businesses also have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on curbing carbon emissions by championing plant-based eating in workplaces.
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