55 Lawmakers Urge President Biden to Increase Plant-Based Options in Federal Facilities
Written by: Annie Taranshansky
On March 14, 2024, 55 members of Congress signed on to a letter of support urging President Biden to increase the availability of plant-based options in all federal facilities nationwide. The letter was led by the office of Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and represents a meaningful step forward for the plant-based foods industry’s political sway on Capitol Hill. The letter presents compelling evidence and research-backed data, and powerfully addresses the climate promise and sweeping nutritional benefits of plant-based foods, noting that offering plant-based options at all federal facilities can reduce the federal government’s carbon footprint while also promoting the health of the American people.
“Our federal government spends billions of dollars on food procurement each year and can play an important role in empowering and providing consumers with healthy food offerings,” the letter reads.“Today, we write to encourage [the Biden] administration to work with federal agencies to make a plant-based option available everywhere our federal government serves a meal – from museums to national parks, and federal agency cafeterias to military bases.” The letter further notes that the federal government is uniquely positioned to lead by example and pave the way for plant-based food procurement, and while the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities recommend that federal facilities provide “protein foods from plants,” plant-based or plant-forward options are still not commonly offered.
Climate Connection to Plant-Based Diets
Moreover, the letter, which was brought to life with the help of the Environmental Working Group, brings forward evidence that is hard to look away from, citing multiple illuminating climate studies that show plant-based diets reduce global climate-warming emissions by 75 percent as well as land and water use; the letter compares this data against industrial livestock farming and acknowledges the severe environmental impact caused by conventional industrial agriculture. The letter also makes the connection between many diet-related diseases – such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic disease – and plant-based’s role in mitigating the proliferation and progression of such health risks amongst our country’s population.
Increasing Access to Plant-Based Foods for Workers
As consumers increasingly prioritize their own health and sustainability, PBFA believes it is imperative that local, state, and federally run facilities provide food options that meet the dietary and cultural needs of our diverse population. The letter acknowledges that 1 in 4 American workers eat and drink food provided by their workplaces, and that federal employees can likely stand to benefit from increased access to plant-based options – and beyond the evidenced benefits, we know that consumers want and willingly choose to put plant-based food options on their plates when available.
According to our 2022 State of the Marketplace: Foodservice report, 43% of consumers agree that the availability of plant-based food and beverages improves the restaurant experience always or at least some of the time. We hope to see these changes take hold within our federal institutions, and by offering a greater variety of plant-based options, prioritizing thoughtful menu labeling, and educating the American public – not just those that identify as vegetarian or plant-based – we can create well-rounded dining experiences that appeal to all patrons, meet the demands of our planet, and promote the health and sustainability goals of our country.
Move Towards a More Plant-Based Future
PBFA applauds all 55 congressional offices for listening to the data and promoting policy that serves the long-term holistic interests of our national – and global – community. This letter comes in the wake of a myriad of plant-forward legislation passing recently in local governments, with Los Angeles County just this month enacting a new law that requires all city-run facilities to be “plant-based by default.” Policy that supports the growth and sustained access to plant-based foods is essential to securing our industry’s further success, and we are encouraged to see such enthusiasm and willingness emerging from our highest branches of government. Looking ahead, we eagerly await proactive followthrough from this letter and, alongside its congressional supporters, urge the Biden Administration to respond in kind.