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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Adoption of a Resolution that Urges the United States of America to Support a Plant Based Treaty; (2) Authorization to Provide Educational Outreach about Plant Based Diets; and (3) Authorization to Include Language on Special Event Permits and Facility Reservations Encouraging Plant-Based Foods.
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Meeting Date: November 10, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Wallis Nash/Public Works - EPO
Phone Number: (310) 253-6445
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: Email via GovDelivery Meetings and Agendas (11/06/2025)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Director of Public Works, City Engineer (06/23/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a resolution that urges the United States of America to support a Plant Based Treaty; (2) authorize City staff to provide educational outreach about the benefits of plant based diets; and (3) authorize City staff to include language on special event permits and facility reservations “encouraging plant based foods if this event or reservation includes meals or refreshments”.
BACKGROUND
The Plant Based Treaty organization is a global grassroots campaign fighting climate change by focusing on the food system. They advocate for plant based food systems through policy change with global leaders as well as leaders in local municipalities.
Representatives from the Plant Based Treaty presented to the February 27, 2025 Sustainability Subcommittee meeting, at which time the Subcommittee directed staff to continue to research the Plant Based Treaty and look for opportunities to partner.
Staff invited the Plant Based Treaty to host a table at Envirofest.
Staff spoke with staff from the City of West Hollywood where multiple resolutions have been passed in support of the Plant Based Treaty. West Hollywood has adopted a resolution where all City sponsored events are required to be plant based by default. Any individual who wants non-plant based options must provide a special request. West Hollywood has also adopted Veganuary, which included devoting funding to encouraging staff and community members to eat plant based meals for the entirety of January.
Additionally, both the cities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood have adopted resolutions that urge the United States federal government to adopt the Plant Based Treaty.
DISCUSSION
At the direction of the Sustainability Subcommittee, staff presented comparative research at the meeting on June 5, 2025. Based on this research and current resources, staff recommended joining the cities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood in urging the United States federal government to support a plant based treaty.
Additionally, staff recommended providing educational outreach about plant based diets through the City’s official social media channels. Staff will continue to invite the Plant Based Treaty to Envirofest to promote a plant based lifestyle and explain the environmental benefits of a plant based diet.
Lastly, staff recommended including language on Special Event permits and facility reservations to encourage plant based foods if the event or reservation includes meals or refreshments.
The Sustainability Subcommittee unanimously directed City staff in bringing the proposed recommendations to the full City Council.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact from acting on the proposed recommendations. The Environmental Programs and Operations Division has an existing agreement for educational outreach with sufficient funding to include outreach about plant based diets.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-10-13-ATT-CC-1-Resolution Urging the United States of America to Support a Plant Based Treaty
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution that Urges the United States of America to Support a Plant Based Treaty;
2. Authorize City staff to provide educational outreach about plant based diets; and
3. Authorize City staff to include language on special event permits and facility reservations encouraging plant-based foods.