California Prisons Might Have To Offer Vegan Meal Options

A big step for veganism could come to the West Coast — vegan food night be required in California’s prisons, so inmates can go plant-based. This also goes for hospitals and nursing homes.

These implementations are part of a new bill proposed by State Senator Nancy Skinner. If passed, California prisons would have to provide meal options that don’t contain meat, poultry, fish, dairy, or eggs. The bill says a vegan diet could make meals healthier for people staying at or visiting these places.

An existing law already gives inmates vegetarian options, but planet-based meals are usually unavailable. About 12,000 out of 129,000 California state inmates already get special meals.

“Meals for people with religious preferences, whether it’s Kosher, Islamic or vegetarian. We have many options, but most of our inmates get a standard diet,” explained Bill Sessi of the California Department of Corrections.

The legislation might also help the state conserve water because it usually takes less water to grow plants than meat.

“Offering plant-based meal options is a great way to give people healthy choices and reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions,” stated Nancy Skinner. “But most importantly, I want to make sure we’re being fair and giving those in institutional settings food options that meet their individual needs.”