VICTORY! New Policy Requires LA County to Purchase More Plant-Based Foods

UPDATE! Los Angeles County public institutions will now prioritize plant-based food purchasing!

This past February, Los Angeles County passed a first-of-its-kind policy to promote and increase the procurement of plant-based foods. The policy tasks, in part, the Department of Public Health with updating its nutrition standards for prepared foods, snacks, and beverages, which apply to county cafeterias, cafes, and concessions. At least seven county departments have implemented these standards, including the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the Chief Executive Office. Over the past several months, Mercy For Animals, Greener by Default, and Balanced provided recommendations to the department. Excitingly, the department has accepted all our suggestions, including these:

• A requirement to serve at least one plant-based entree
• A recommendation to provide two plant-based entrees for every non-plant-based entree
• A requirement to offer plant-based alternatives for dairy products
• A recommendation that the pricing for plant-based entrees, side items, snacks, desserts, and beverages be competitive with comparable options

This new policy will significantly impact animals, people’s health, and the planet.

We couldn’t do this work without your support. Thank you for making a difference for animals and helping create a kinder food system. 

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Breaking news! The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors just voted to approve a new policy that requires the county to promote plant-based eating and purchase more plant-based foods and fewer animal-based foods. 

Over the past year, Mercy For Animals worked closely with county supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath on a policy to help mitigate the effects of climate change and spare animals a life of suffering in the food system. Mercy For Animals also met with county departments; consulted relevant experts; and partnered with the Center for Biological Diversity, Greener by Default, and other organizations to help create the policy.

Under the new law, the county must update its nutritional standards to incorporate best practices for purchasing, selling, and serving more plant-based foods and identify ways county departments can increase plant-based food purchasing and decrease purchasing of animal-based foods. The law has the potential to spare countless animals, promote public health, and address environmental harms associated with industrial animal agriculture. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services will also take the first step toward collecting data on food the department purchases to estimate its greenhouse gas emissions.

When institutions reduce their food-related emissions, they often replace the most carbon-intensive animal products, like beef and dairy, with chicken and fish, inadvertently leading to more animal suffering. But by securing policies that reduce all animal-based foods governments purchase and increase plant-based ones, we can have a bigger impact and help more animals.

Want to do more? 

Mercy For Animals works to secure laws and policies (like this one) that reduce suffering and increase plant-based food accessibility. Your support drives our efforts to educate the public about the transformative power of plant-based eating. Join us in creating a kinder world for animals and people alike, and support all our programs and operations by donating today!