This program is set to begin by March 1, 2023. House Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) submitted a provision that tests plant-based meat options on at least two Naval bases to determine the demand for such options and the feasibility in implementing them across more bases. Since then, Congress members have made amendments to the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to encourage the military to explore plant-based meals on menus. In June, animal-rights group Mercy For Animals (MFA) released findings from a survey it conducted which found that a majority of US military members wanted access to plant-based meals, particularly ready-made meals (or MREs). Separately from the Congress members’ letter, a push for vegan meals on military menus is underway, as well. The Congress members intentionally sent their demand letter ahead of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, an event in September when the Biden Administration will map out its strategy to alleviate hunger, improve nutrition, and increase physical activity across the nation. “Although the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities recommends that federal facilities ‘offer protein foods from plants’ and defines an entrée as ‘meat’ or ‘meat alternate,’ vegetarian entrées are still not routinely provided at federal facilities … To help ensure the federal government is leading through its own food practices, we urge you to make a vegetarian entrée available everywhere the federal government is serving our people a meal.” “More and more Americans are interested in vegetarian options-especially younger Americans, who are seeking out healthier options that also reduce their carbon footprint,” the lawmakers wrote. In the letter, the Congress members cited statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency that show animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The Congress members are asking the White House to implement this change for myriad reasons, including to provide more access for government employees and visitors to federal facilities to plant-based meals that help curb illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, while at the same time reducing the country’s carbon footprint. The letter asks for a meatless meal to be a requirement for federal facilities ranging from museums to national parks to military bases. A letter sent to President Joe Biden by Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and 31 other United States House of Representatives members urges for at least one vegetarian entrée at every federal facility across the country.

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