The Humane Society of the United States is set to release a new environmental report detailing how New York City Public Schools have significantly reduced their carbon emissions through the implementation of the plant-based meal program, Plant-Powered Fridays. The program, which has led to a 42% reduction in overall emissions per student, was launched by Mayor Eric Adams in February 2022, and serves a nutritious, plant-based dish as the main menu item in New York City public schools every Friday.
The forthcoming report was compiled by the Humane Society of the United States who worked with the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Food and Nutrition Services and sustainability consultants at WSP USA to analyze and compare the environmental impacts of food purchases made by OFNS in October of 2018 and 2022. The report’s findings will reveal substantial improvements to New York City schools’ carbon, land and water footprints following the increase in plant-based menu options.
“The menu changes made by OFNS have had clear, substantial benefits in carbon, water and land footprints,” said Isaac Emery, who has a doctorate in Ecological Sciences and Engineering and is the project director for WSP. “In my 15 years as a sustainability scientist, these are the largest improvements in environmental outcomes from a food service program that I have ever seen.”
Key findings from the upcoming report:
-
NYC Department of Education’s menu changes between October 2018 and October 2022 reduced the carbon and water footprints from animal products by roughly 40% and the land footprint from animal products by over 50%.
-
NYC public schools reduced the carbon footprint per student served between 2018 and 2022 by about 40%, the water footprint of student meals by about one-third, and the land footprint of students by about 50%.
-
The carbon footprint of food purchases was about 30 pounds lower per student, or 16,000 tons lower overall, in October 2022 than October 2018. This reduction is equivalent to the amount of carbon saved by recycling 640,000 bags of trash or planting 240,000 trees and growing them for 10 years.
-
The water footprint of food purchases was about 300 gallons lower per student, or 320 million gallons lower overall, in October 2022 than October 2018. That is enough drinking water for 3.5 million people for a year.
-
The land footprint of food purchases was about 300 square feet smaller per student, or 7,200 acres smaller overall, in October 2022 than October 2018. That is equivalent to the farmland needed to feed 14,000 people for a year.
“We are glad to have partnered OFNS on this assessment and are thrilled to share the full report which will detail the positive impact Plant-Powered Fridays has had on the environment," said Kate Watts, director of Food Service Innovation at the Humane Society of the United States. “We hope to see other school districts around the country emulating New York City’s leadership by prioritizing sustainability, health and animal welfare.”
“We support the significant climate actions undertaken by OFNS to reduce our environmental impact while also addressing student needs. This is a stellar example of how our operations prioritize student health and safety while also leading in greenhouse gas reduction and transforming our city for a sustainable future,” said Meredith McDermott, chief officer of Sustainability & Decarbonization, in the Office of Energy & Sustainability at NYC Public Schools.
“New York City Public Schools Office of Food and Nutrition Services is proud to be part of a community powered by healthy food, environmental sustainability, togetherness and flourishing young people,” said Christopher Tricarico, senior executive director of OFNS. “We are grateful to have a long-standing partnership with the Humane Society of the United States who share this vision. We would like to thank the HSUS for collaborating with WSP to create this comprehensive environmental report. We appreciate the invaluable insights gained from this recent study and are excited to show how several of our menu initiatives reduce our impact on the environment. This collaboration underscores our commitment to a healthier New York City and planet, and we look forward to leveraging these findings to drive positive change and innovation together.”
“By incorporating more plant proteins into our school meals, we have significantly reduced our climate and environmental impact in schools across New York City,” said Kate MacKenzie, executive director of New York City's Mayor's Office of Food Policy. “This underscores that investing in healthy school meals is not just a commitment to our students’ well-being but also to the future of our planet.”
The full report is expected to be published by next month.