Plant-Based Meals Reduce School District’s Costs and Carbon Footprint

Serving fewer animal products saved Oakland Unified School District in California money and reduced its carbon footprint, according to a case study reported by Friends of the Earth. The school district replaced meat, poultry, and cheese with plant-based foods in an effort to reduce its environmental impact and overall costs. The authors also analyzed purchasing records and greenhouse gas emissions from schools. A 30 percent reduction in animal products served resulted in a 14 percent reduction in the district’s carbon footprint, 42 million gallons of water saved, and a cost savings of more than $40,000. The authors stress these data illustrate the effectiveness of plant-based options to reduce costs and environmental damage and may serve as a model for aspiring schools elsewhere.