A recent update reveals that nearly 90% of federal facilities now provide a plant-based option more than three days a week, a substantial increase from last year’s 49%. This expansion aligns with voluntary federal standards, which suggest offering plant-based meals at least three times weekly.
The federal government, responsible for supplying nearly half a million meals annually to visitors, workers, inmates, and patients, has made strides in enhancing meal options. These changes have the potential to yield significant health and environmental benefits. Research supports that providing more diverse meal choices can lead to healthier decisions by consumers, potentially reducing the risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and certain cancers.
According to a July survey conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), approximately nine in ten federal dining facilities reported offering plant-based options five or more days a week. Out of the 432 facilities reviewed—including federal prisons, parks, hospitals, museums, and government buildings—380, or nearly 88%, met this criterion.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s voluntary guidelines recommend that federal facilities offer plant-based or vegetarian dining options at least three times a week. This recommendation is part of the broader 2022 White House National Strategy on Hunger, Health, and Nutrition, where President Joe Biden committed to increasing the availability of such options in federal settings to foster a healthier food environment.
EWG’s survey revealed the following findings regarding the availability of plant-based or vegetarian options at federal facilities:
- Only three locations never offered a plant-based option, a significant decrease from 30 in 2023.
- Thirteen locations provided these options fewer than three days a week, down from 69 in 2023.
- Twenty-eight locations offered them three days a week, a decline from 292 facilities in 2023.
- Three hundred eighty-eight locations provided options more than three days a week, an increase from 236 in 2023.
- Of those offering these options more than three days a week, 380 facilities provided them five or more days a week, with the most significant improvement being the shift from offering them three days to five days a week.
The most notable improvements were seen at Defense Department installations and national parks. The number of Defense Department locations offering plant-based or vegetarian options more than three days a week rose from 48 to 125. Similarly, national park facilities saw an increase from 26 to 76.
This progress follows a pledge from President Biden and advocacy from over 50 members of Congress, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), urging federal agencies to expand healthier food options.
However, while the availability of these options has surged, EWG noted that many offerings had limited nutritional value or lacked variety. Common items included black bean burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and cheese pizza, often the sole plant-based choices available.
To promote the health of individuals working at or visiting federal facilities, it is crucial to continue increasing the variety and nutritional quality of plant-based and vegetarian menu options. This survey highlights the federal government’s capability to expand meal choices and suggests there is room for further improvement.
