A Guest Blog by Alex Cerussi and Jodi Gruhn
December 3, 2025
Breaking news! Hennepin County, MN, just adopted an administrative policy requiring plant-based food to be served by default at county-sponsored meetings and events. Animal-based foods, such as meat and dairy, will remain available upon request.
Wholesome Minnesota and Civic Plate, collaborated with an outstanding team of volunteers and County Commissioner Goettel to develop this policy which champions public health and inclusivity.
By adopting a default plant-based policy, the County seeks to expand food choices at internal meetings and county-hosted public events. This means plant-based meals will be the standard offering, but individuals can still choose to include animal products, such as meat and dairy, if they wish. This approach ensures that nothing is taken away; instead, it adds more options for everyone. This policy has the potential to spare countless animals, promote public health, and mitigate the environmental impacts of industrial animal agriculture.
Earlier this year, the coalition conducted a public opinion survey in Hennepin County to gauge support for a policy aimed at increasing access to plant-based foods. The results revealed that a significant majority of residents (69.5%) support a policy encouraging the county government to purchase plant-based foods, while an even larger majority (86.3%) believes local governments should act to reduce the environmental impact of food. Additionally, the coalition engaged with the County’s Climate and Resiliency Department and consulted with experts to help shape the policy.
Cities and counties, no matter how much or how little food they procure, can demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability, public health, fiscal responsibility, and inclusivity by implementing a plant-based-by-default policy.
For inquiries, please contact Alex Cerussi at alex.cerussi@civicplate.org and Jodi Gruhn at jodi.gruhn@wholesomeminnesota.org.
