The Most Ambitious Plant-Based College Dining Initiative Yet Comes to Texas

The University of North Texas (UNT) has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to transform its campus dining experience by pledging that 60 percent of its food offerings will be plant-based by 2027. This ambitious goal, established in partnership with Humane World for Animals (formerly known as the Humane Society of the US), sets a new standard for plant-based commitments in higher education.

This commitment comes on the heels of UNT’s impressive performance in the College and University Protein Sustainability Scorecard, where it secured the second spot among the nation’s largest self-operated institutions. The scorecard, developed by Humane World for Animals, assesses universities’ efforts to enhance plant-based meal options and decrease dependence on animal products, underscoring UNT’s dedication to sustainability and student well-being.

‘A very positive and productive collaboration’

A pivotal element of UNT’s plant-based dining strategy is Mean Greens Café, recognized as the first entirely vegan university dining hall in the US. Since its inception in 2011, the café has catered to approximately 1,000 patrons daily, serving as a hub for culinary innovation, sustainability projects, and student engagement. This initiative has positioned UNT as a leader in promoting plant-based dining within academic institutions.

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Matthew Ward, the executive chef of residential dining at UNT, highlighted the university’s dedication by stating, “The University of North Texas Dining Services is dedicated to providing diverse, plant-forward dining options that promote student health and well-being while fostering a culture of sustainability. By prioritizing a variety of plant-based foods, we aim to accommodate dietary preferences, enhance inclusivity, and ensure all students have access to nutritious, eco-friendly meals.”

The journey toward this 60 percent plant-based objective commenced in August 2024, when Humane World for Animals’ food service innovation team evaluated UNT’s dining program for the sustainability scorecard. Following their campus visit, UNT solidified its commitment by signing the Forward Food Pledge upon the scorecard’s release.

Liz Clark, food service innovation coordinator at Humane World for Animals, expressed her appreciation for UNT’s proactive stance: “It has been an honor to work with chef Matthew Ward and director of communications and guest experience Kerri Sallusti to publicize the amazing culinary initiatives in place at the University of North Texas. Every interaction with their dining team has been insightful and inspiring for us. We expect a very positive and productive collaboration in the coming years.”

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RELATED: Why Plant-Based Dining Gets an A+ at Top Universities Around the World

UNT’s initiative aligns with a broader movement in educational institutions to incorporate more plant-based options into their menus. For instance, the National School Lunch Program serves approximately five billion meals annually, presenting a significant opportunity to promote healthier and more sustainable eating habits among students. Despite this potential, meat and dairy products continue to dominate school menus, with only eight percent of entrees being entirely plant-based in states like California. Advocates argue that increasing the proportion of plant-based meals can enhance student health by providing diets rich in fiber and essential nutrients, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. 

The future of plant-based food in US schools is uncertain

Efforts to promote plant-based diets in educational settings have gained momentum. A coalition of environmental, public health, and animal welfare organizations recently achieved a significant victory with the USDA updates to school nutrition standards. These revisions grant schools greater flexibility to serve plant-based proteins such as beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, and seeds, and permit options like hummus as snacks. Audrey Lawson-Sanchez, executive director of Balanced, a plant-based nutrition advocacy group, emphasized the importance of these changes, noting that while increased flexibility is beneficial, it is crucial to ensure that school food service teams have the necessary skills and resources to implement these options effectively. 

In Illinois, legislation enacted in August 2023 mandates that schools provide plant-based meals upon request. To date, students in approximately 15 percent of the state’s 852 school districts have sought these options. Pilot programs in eight schools have been established to support this initiative, with one school successfully implementing a fully plant-based day each week and another day where half the meals are plant-based. 

US Army

Beyond K-12 education, federal institutions are also recognizing the benefits of plant-based diets. The Department of Defense, responsible for a significant portion of federal food purchases, has initiated efforts to incorporate more plant-based meals in military cafeterias. Recent nutrition standards now require daily servings of legumes, reflecting a shift toward more sustainable and health-conscious food choices.

But these efforts could be short-lived under the new appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as US Health and Human Services Chief. Kennedy has expressed intentions to overhaul the National School Lunch Program by eliminating processed foods and synthetic dyes, aiming to combat chronic diseases linked to dietary factors. This initiative could lead to significant changes in school meal programs, promoting the inclusion of fresh, unprocessed foods. 

However, broader environmental policies under the new administration may present challenges to sustainability efforts in public schools. The administration’s Agenda 47 outlines plans to dismantle climate change mitigation strategies, including repealing regulations that curb greenhouse gas emissions and abolishing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Such actions could undermine educational programs focused on environmental awareness and sustainability, as schools often rely on federal guidelines and support for implementing green initiatives.

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Additionally, the administration’s stance on environmental regulations, characterized by the appointment of officials with ties to the fossil fuel industry and efforts to roll back climate policies, may influence the resources and support available for schools aiming to adopt sustainable practices. This could impact funding for environmental education, energy-efficient infrastructure projects, and other green initiatives within the public education system.