by Jodi Gruhn, Wholesome Minnesota Director. As appears in CAA’s 2024 Minnesota Veg Living Magazine.
2023 was a big year for the acknowledgement of our food system’s role in climate change. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ National Nutrition Month highlighted sustainability in its yearly celebration of making informed food choices. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report that included the need for “balanced, sustainable healthy diets acknowledging nutritional needs” as part of the climate roadmap. Organizers of COP28, the world’s most important climate conference, committed to serving “climate-conscious” food (vegan or vegetarian) and offered its first global declaration on the need for the reduction of food-related emissions.
While leaders are finally starting to acknowledge food’s role in the climate crisis, they fall short in naming the biggest culprits: the meat and dairy industries, which account for at least 14.5% of global emissions. These Big Ag industries still have a lot of power and control over the narrative therefore limiting push back from these other organizations and leaders.
This omission is depressing, yet acknowledgment of the food-climate connection marks a step forward. The conversation surrounding animal agriculture and its impact on climate change, human health, and animal welfare has finally opened up. Additionally, we champion hope, specifically, “evidence-based hope,” a concept coined by Elin Kelsey, Ph.D., in her book “Hope Matters.” She urges us to blend our awareness of future challenges with the certainty that “positive change or solutions are not just feasible but backed by concrete evidence.” This fusion of hope and evidence has sparked remarkable engagement and progress for CAA’s Wholesome Minnesota program as outlined in the following:
Minnesota State Nutrition Association Annual Conference
When it comes to the climate crisis, it’s all hands on deck. All of us have a sphere of influence and when it comes to food and climate, our state’s nutrition professionals can lead the way. In 2023, Minnesota’s school nutrition leaders eagerly embraced Wholesome Minnesota’s presentations, engaging with insightful questions and providing encouraging feedback. The curiosity among these leaders is evident, with a growing number of schools now incorporating vegetarian and plant-based choices. While there’s still much work ahead, the foundation has been laid, and we foresee continuous progress and success.
Plant-Based Culinary Education
Studies show that a lack of culinary and cooking knowledge is reported as a major obstacle to diet change. We extended our reach to more schools by sharing plant-based culinary arts and education. With this program, we debunk the protein myth and assess protein requirements. We also make an ecological case for going more plant-based by quantifying the water conservation achieved by substituting conventional recipes with plant-based alternatives. Following our visit, a substantial number of students reported that they were inspired to watch the films The Game Changers and Cowspiracy.
Environmental/Green Clubs
Throughout 2023, numerous real-world instances showcased the influence of animal agriculture on climate, notably the Colorado River crisis and the Updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The pivotal role of a plant-based approach in mitigating climate impacts has become increasingly evident to students. They’ve drawn connections between capitalism and its impact on climate, inquired about cultivated meat and regenerative agriculture, and sought guidance on maintaining a vegan lifestyle despite nut or soy allergies. Notably, students have expressed a desire for more comprehensive environmental education, leading them to introduce me to their science teachers because they feel this crucial information is lacking in the school curriculum. We provide the information needed to fulfill their hunger for expanded environmental education.
Meals Served
Wholesome Minnesota’s collaborations with students and foodservice professionals served over 40,000 vegan meals in 2023. We continue to extend our reach and are working on additional collaborations. Building environmental consciousness, critical thinking, personal empowerment, and understanding of the truth about the damage of factory farming is our north star. We plant seeds for change, and watch them bloom as students and schools make change one meal at a time.