Los Angeles has taken another progressive step toward sustainability with the adoption of a motion aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through its food procurement practices. The initiative, introduced by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis, places a significant emphasis on incorporating plant-based food options into the city’s food service contracts and prioritizing local growers when financially feasible.
This measure, which builds upon recommendations from the Department of Public Health (DPH), seeks to overhaul how public institutions across the county procure and serve food, aiming for both environmental and nutritional improvements.
Prioritizing plant-based food
The updated standards include a requirement that county foodservice operations serve at least one plant-based entrée every day, a requirement that plant-based alternatives to dairy products be made available, and a recommendation that plant-based entrées, side items, snacks, desserts, and beverages be priced competitively with comparable options.
In addition, the new policy tasks the county with setting ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals for its food purchasing while ensuring transparency in the process. Departments must also develop evaluation criteria for future food service Requests for Proposals (RFPs), with a clear emphasis on proposals that prioritize plant-based offerings.
“This motion implements the recommendations from the Department of Public Health’s report and aims to update county food service contracts to prioritize plant-based options and local growers by developing new criteria for RFPs and integrating DPH’s new nutritional standards,” reads the Supervisor’s announcement.
Moreover, an annual report will be required, detailing the quantities of animal-based and plant-based food products purchased by County departments. The report will highlight yearly changes and assess the impact of the updated food standards on overall emissions reduction goals. County food vendors will now be required to submit annual reports on their food purchases, including the total amounts of meat, poultry, fish, dairy, egg products, and plant-based items. This data will help the county establish a baseline level of greenhouse gas emissions linked to its food consumption. Using this baseline, the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and the DPH will set emissions reduction targets for the next decade.
The county’s climate impact report, generated annually, will publicly track progress toward these targets. “Using the established baseline, create food-based emissions and impact reduction targets for the next decade, consider aligning targets with the World Resources Institute’s ‘Coolfood Pledge’ and adding the targets as part of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan update,” states the motion. To ensure transparency and accountability, this information will be made available through an online dashboard hosted on the DPH’s website.
Educational efforts are also a priority under this initiative. The motion instructs the CSO and DPH to create and distribute materials informing county departments about strategies for meeting the new food-based emissions targets. These materials will draw on findings from a 2024 departmental survey and will include details on the environmental and social impacts of animal-based products.
The broader significance of this motion lies in its potential to influence food procurement practices beyond Los Angeles. By aligning its goals with global initiatives like the Coolfood Pledge, the county signals its commitment to addressing climate change through systemic changes in food systems. The Coolfood Pledge, developed by the World Resources Institute, encourages large institutions to reduce the climate impact of their food offerings by shifting toward more plant-based options.
Serving public health goals
Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative aims to improve public health by promoting better nutrition. The DPH’s updated Standards for Prepared Foods, Snacks, and Beverages are designed to encourage healthier eating habits in public institutions. By integrating these standards into all food service contracts, the county seeks to ensure that plant-based options become a more prominent and accessible part of daily diets.
The motion’s introduction follows a growing trend among municipalities and institutions adopting plant-forward policies to combat climate change. Research consistently shows that plant-based diets contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to a study published in the journal Nature, shifting to a more plant-based global diet could cut food-related emissions by up to seventy percent by 2050.
While the motion has garnered support from environmental and health advocates, questions remain about its implementation and cost-effectiveness. Critics argue that transitioning to plant-based procurement models may present logistical challenges and increase expenses for public institutions. However, proponents contend that the long-term environmental and health benefits will outweigh the initial costs.
Cities increasing support for plant-based food
In recent years, other cities have introduced similar measures. For instance, New York City launched its Meatless Mondays initiative in public schools, while Berkeley, CA pledged to cut its food-related emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Los Angeles’ new motion stands out by combining emissions reduction goals with comprehensive data collection and public reporting requirements.
West Hollywood has also recently intensified its commitment to environmental sustainability by endorsing the Plant Based Treaty, a global initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a shift toward plant-based food systems. The City Council unanimously passed this resolution, initiated by Vice Mayor Chelsea Byers, underscoring the city’s dedication to combating climate change. The Plant Based Treaty serves as a companion to the Paris Climate Agreement, focusing on three core principles: halting the expansion of animal agriculture to protect ecosystems; promoting a shift toward plant-based food production to lower emissions; and rewilding ecosystems and addressing climate issues equitably.
In addition to endorsing the treaty, West Hollywood has implemented policies to promote plant-based eating within the community. Last June, the city adopted a policy requiring that plant-based food be served by default at all city sponsored events, with animal products available upon request. This initiative aims to reduce the environmental and public health impacts associated with food consumption.
Furthermore, the city is actively participating in Veganuary, a global campaign encouraging people to try plant-based diets during the month of January. West Hollywood’s campaign invites residents, city staff, and businesses to embrace plant-based eating, aligning with the city’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.
This post was originally published on VegNews.com.