PI: Courtney Dillard (Mercy For Animals)

Date Awarded: December 2021 (FSRF 2-020)

Key Findings :

Through a survey of staff in municipal sustainability offices and other municipal organizations across the United States, we examined the extent to which municipalities currently promote plant-based eating and other sustainable food practices, and the opportunities and barriers they perceive to doing so. We found that while many municipalities engage with sustainable food practices more broadly, engagement in programs and policies specifically focused on promoting plant-based eating was uncommon. Furthermore, there was hesitation to engage with plant-based food choices due to perceived socio-cultural and institutional/structural barriers, such as likelihood of push-back from powerful interest groups, concerns over equity and threatening others’ autonomy, and lack of political will. We also found that some interventions, such as incentives and education about plant-based choices, were perceived as more feasible than others (e.g., taxes on animal products). Further, respondents highlighted the need for interventions that promote plant-based eating while addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion concerns . Our findings suggest that municipalities are underutilized sources of influence to promote plant-based eating; however, outreach and support to municipalities to overcome real and perceived barriers is needed.

Further Information: The full report is available here.