Los Angeles County makes progress for the animals, people, and the environment

The county will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by prioritizing plant-based food purchasing over animal products. Over 30% of human-caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from our global food system. Animal-based foods are a significant source of this percentage, as they produce about twice the GHG emissions as their plant-based counterparts.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s updated Standards for Prepared Foods, Snacks, and Beverages require county foodservice operations to provide daily plant-based entree offerings, plant-based dairy alternatives, and a recommended ratio of two plant-based entrees for every animal-based entree. The revised standards will be incorporated into all new and renewing county foodservice bid requests and contracts.

With over 110 foodservice contracts in the county, this policy has the potential to make a considerable impact in the fight against climate change. It also tasks the county government with setting ambitious GHG emissions-reduction goals, ensuring transparency with its goal progress in an annual climate impact report, and providing county departments with educational materials to help meet food-based emissions targets. These materials will also include information related to the environmental and social impacts of animal-based products—ranging from deforestation and pollution to human welfare.