"Our food choices affect the climate in many ways. The amount and kinds of protein we consume can have a significant impact on the climate.

U.S. agriculture causes at least 11 percent of the country’s entire annual emissions of greenhouse gases, like methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, which trap heat in the atmosphere, causing and exacerbating climate change. Add emissions from fertilizer production, plus clearing and plowing land to grow crops, and agriculture’s net share of emissions is even higher than 11 percent and is increasing.

Fruit and vegetables aren’t the culprits behind crop-related emissions. It’s the crops grown for animal feed, like corn, and the animals themselves.

By expanding plant-based food choices within the military and better aligning food choices with the Federal Food Service Guidelines, the Department of Defense can help the U.S. reach its climate goals, as well as improve readiness and support American farmers and companies, while allowing service members to reduce risks from chronic diseases such as heart disease.

EWG urges the Biden administration and the Department of Defense to swiftly carry out this plan to make a plant-based entrée option available everywhere the federal government serves a meal. ECP is proud to provide the educational foundation to support this initiative and ensure that service members and political officials alike have knowledge regarding food choices' impacts on human and planetary health.

More is needed to further support American plant-based companies and products, but we are grateful Congress continues to recognize that providing a vegetarian or plant-based entrée option will improve personal health and quality of life.

We look forward to working with the Department of Defense and the Biden administration to ensure the implementation and success of these and other reforms encouraging healthy dietary choices."