Plant Based Taskforce
Myths & Facts

FACT: Large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are extremely cruel to animals, are major polluters of air and water, cause health problems for workers and communities, create antibiotic resistance, and contribute to climate change. In terms of planting crops, it will take a balance of large crop farming, and strong support of small local, organic farmers to feed our population.

FACT: All protein originates in plants. Cows, pigs, chickens, and fish are merely the “middlemen”, recycling the plant protein. Breeding animals for protein is orders of magnitude harder on the planet than growing plant proteins. In addition to high protein nuts, peanuts, soy, lentils and beans, many of the popular plant meats contain equivalent or more protein than animal meats.

FACT: US school systems are already supporting plant-based meals, and the US government is encouraging healthy plant-based options for school children. FACT: Countless public and private schools in the United States have shown plant-based lunch options can and are being done.

Currently, cow’s milk must be served with each meal until this federal policy is amended. A bipartisan bill called ADD SOY act (Addressing Digestive Distress in Stomachs of Our Youth act) asks that USDA not only reimburse school districts for cow’s milk but also nutritionally equivalent soy milk. Soy milk has been officially recognized as having the same protein and calcium content as cow's milk in the latest formulation of the American Dietary Guidelines. As of today, soy milk needs a written request from a parent to be served at school lunches in lieu of cow’s milk. The vast majority (80-90%) of Asian-American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Black, and Native American children are lactose intolerant. Cow’s milk contains saturated fat and inflammatory whey and casein proteins, and hormones (estrogen’s) from the lactating cow which are harmful, as cow’s milk increases levels of estrogens in girls and boys, and decreases levels of testosterone in boys. See: Michael Klaper, MD | Dairy (doctorklaper.com)

FACT: Soy does not contain estrogen. Soy milk and tofu contain phytoestrogen, which prevents and fight disease. Cow’s milk and cheese contain real estrogen which causes disease. Most plant foods contain phytoestrogens, such as: tofu, flax seeds, most fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, beans, coffee, tea and wine. Phytoestrogens regulate estrogen in the human body. Phytoestrogens reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, help prevent cancer, including breast, prostate, and colon cancer, help prevent bone loss and osteoporosis, help with menopausal symptoms, help prevent acne, and phytoestrogens have no effect on testosterone levels, in contrast to: Cow’s milk and cheese contain real estrogen, IGF-1, and saturated fat from the lactating cow which is harmful to humans. Cow’s milk increases estrogen levels in boys and men, and girls, and cow’s milk decreases levels of testosterone in boys and men. See: Michael Klaper, MD | Dairy (doctorklaper.com)

FACT: Testing a new food item can be done in a matter of days or weeks with volunteers offering samples of plant-based protein dishes. The ingredients for burgers, tacos, and spaghetti are already being used in schools; it’s a very simple matter to swap out the animal-based protein for a plant-based protein in these dishes.

FACT: Schools implementing plant-based options in CA, NY, OK, IL, and other states are showing that in fact the kids are LOVING the plant-based option. Schools are running out of the plant-based burgers and nuggets before the end of the lunch line.

FACT: Meat eaters, vegetarians, and plant-based folks alike all enjoy the new plant-based options. Meat made from plants, such as Beyond Burgers and sausages and Impossible Burgers and nuggets are especially popular with school age kids, as well as meat eaters looking for a healthier alternative to their high fat animal meat burgers.

FACT: Plant-based meals do not reduce sales; this has been shown over and over in US schools which are offering a plant-based option already.

FACT: The California Department of Education reports that “school districts that have implemented Meatless Monday have had an increase in participation and a reduction in meal cost on that day.” See California Department of Education website. FACT: New York City Public Schools provides free, nutritious meals to all New York City public school students every day. Every Friday, school cafeterias feature a nutritious plant-based dish as the primary menu item. Plant-Powered Friday also exposes students to meals prepared in different, flavorful ways, encouraging students to make healthy food choices for a lifetime. See the New York City Public Schools website.

FACT: The bill is striving to have more locally sourced foods on the plate, which can be locally grown fruits and vegetables. Plant-based proteins will be obtained from mainland sources, just as animal-based proteins are currently obtained from the mainland sources.