Washington, DC—Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) led 54 colleagues in a letter to President Biden encouraging him to continue expanding plant-based food options at federal facilities, including government buildings, military bases, national parks and more.

“Today, we write to encourage your administration to work with federal agencies to make a plant-based option available everywhere our federal government serves a meal—from museums to national parks, and federal agency cafeterias to military bases,” wrote the lawmakers. “A high-quality plant-based diet, rich in essential minerals, vitamins, healthy fats, and fiber, can bolster our immune systems, lower inflammation, and mitigate diet-related diseases including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic diseases.”

The letter echoes goals emphasized in President Biden’s White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in September 2022—the first such conference in over 50 years—which convened business, philanthropy and faith leaders, advocates, and policymakers to promote health and pursue comprehensive, long-term solutions to hunger and diet-related diseases in America. Following calls from dozens of members of Congress and public health, animal welfare, and environmental groups in support of expanding plant-based food options at federal facilities, the resulting National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health included a commitment to increasing the availability of plant-based foods and expanding access to healthier choices in federal facilities.

In the letter, the lawmakers cite the plentiful health and climate benefits of plant-based eating. Plant-based diets support the immune system, lower inflammation and help dramatically lower the risks of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Additionally, plant-based foods help reduce carbon footprints, as livestock agriculture is a major contributor of greenhouse gases.

You can read the letter here.

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