California Inmates May Have Access To Vegan Meals

BERKELEY, CA -- California inmates may have the option of eating vegan meals if a recently introduced bill passes the state Legislature. State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) recently proposed Senate Bill 1138, which would ensure institutions including hospitals, nursing facilities and prisons offer “plant-based” meal options.

“Whether at school, work or elsewhere, most of us can satisfy our food preferences by bringing a meal from home or preparing one on site; but that choice is rarely available for people in a prison, hospital or nursing facility,” said Skinner. “SB 1138 ensures that a plant-based meal is always available to those in institutional settings.”

In a press release, Skinner's office said Americans have shown a growing interest in low-meat and no-meat diets.

A 2014 survey of over 11,000 Americans by the Humane Research Council found that roughly one in ten had tried a vegetarian or vegan diet at some time in their life. A 2017 poll by Truven Health Analytics and National Public Radio found that 33 percent of Americans were interested in decreasing their meat consumption, Skinner's office said.

Skinner said the meal options are limited to people "confined to prisons, hospitals or nursing homes aren’t always given the opportunity to choose non-meat options—whether they wish to do so for health, environmental or religious reasons."

“Offering plant-based meal options is a great way to give people healthy choices and reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions,” Skinner said. “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.”

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