Plant-Based Advocates, a Los Gatos group pushing for a shift to a plant-based food system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this month put its message into action by dropping off meals for local firefighters. Group members, pictured here, point to climate change’s role in the wildfires that have ravaged California in the past few years. From left to right are Lisa Wade, Shailaja Venkatsubramanyan, Mary Mackey, Karen Rubio, Debbie Parsons and Kathleen Willey. (Courtesy photo)
By ANNE GELHAUS | agelhaus@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
October 24, 2020 at 6:58 a.m.
A Los Gatos group that advocates eating plant-based foods this month put its message into action by dropping off meals for local firefighters.
Members of Plant-Based Advocates point to climate change’s role in the wildfires that have ravaged California in the past few years, and say reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be accomplished by shifting to a plant-based food system. Among other citations, they point to an Oxford University study that found cutting meat and dairy products from one’s diet can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by as much as 73 percent.
“Raising livestock generates more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector, making it a huge factor in global warming,” group member Lisa Wade said in a statement. “Moving to a plant-based food system is one of the most important things we can do as a society to address climate change.”
To show their support for those fighting the wildfires, group members on Oct. 9 dropped off some plant-based meals at the Winchester Fire Station. Group member Karen Rubio said sharing plant-based meals is an effective advocacy tool.
“Providing meals is a simple gesture that shows solidarity and support to those who are struggling,” Rubio said. “Making that meal healthy and plant-based, while avoiding animal suffering, is even more powerful.”
Plant-Based Advocates is also making meals for unhoused people and coordinating delivery with Ashanti Mitchell of the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office. Mitchell said people are especially grateful for food that is plant-based and healthful.
Plant-Based Advocates formed last year with the stated mission of “reducing the traditional reliance on meat and dairy and encouraging the adoption of plant-based diets in our community through education, outreach and community organizing.”
In December 2019, the group worked with the Los Gatos Town Council to adopt a Green Monday resolution. The resolution is designed to encourage restaurants to include plant-based menu items and allows the group to use the library for educational programs. Plant-Based Advocates is also trying to incorporate plant-based policies and plans into the sustainability portion of the Los Gatos 2040 General Plan.
The group has had some success in getting Los Gatos restaurants to offer plant-based menu items. After meeting with group member Kathleen Willey, Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza added a vegan bowl to their menu and now offers vegan Impossible Burger crumbles on their pies, and Cin-Cin added an entire plant-based section to its menu.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/PlantBasedAdvocates. To be notified about group events, send your name, city and email address to karenr@phc.net.
By ANNE GELHAUS | agelhaus@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
October 24, 2020 at 6:58 a.m.
A Los Gatos group that advocates eating plant-based foods this month put its message into action by dropping off meals for local firefighters.
Members of Plant-Based Advocates point to climate change’s role in the wildfires that have ravaged California in the past few years, and say reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be accomplished by shifting to a plant-based food system. Among other citations, they point to an Oxford University study that found cutting meat and dairy products from one’s diet can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by as much as 73 percent.
“Raising livestock generates more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector, making it a huge factor in global warming,” group member Lisa Wade said in a statement. “Moving to a plant-based food system is one of the most important things we can do as a society to address climate change.”
To show their support for those fighting the wildfires, group members on Oct. 9 dropped off some plant-based meals at the Winchester Fire Station. Group member Karen Rubio said sharing plant-based meals is an effective advocacy tool.
“Providing meals is a simple gesture that shows solidarity and support to those who are struggling,” Rubio said. “Making that meal healthy and plant-based, while avoiding animal suffering, is even more powerful.”
Plant-Based Advocates is also making meals for unhoused people and coordinating delivery with Ashanti Mitchell of the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office. Mitchell said people are especially grateful for food that is plant-based and healthful.
Plant-Based Advocates formed last year with the stated mission of “reducing the traditional reliance on meat and dairy and encouraging the adoption of plant-based diets in our community through education, outreach and community organizing.”
In December 2019, the group worked with the Los Gatos Town Council to adopt a Green Monday resolution. The resolution is designed to encourage restaurants to include plant-based menu items and allows the group to use the library for educational programs. Plant-Based Advocates is also trying to incorporate plant-based policies and plans into the sustainability portion of the Los Gatos 2040 General Plan.
The group has had some success in getting Los Gatos restaurants to offer plant-based menu items. After meeting with group member Kathleen Willey, Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza added a vegan bowl to their menu and now offers vegan Impossible Burger crumbles on their pies, and Cin-Cin added an entire plant-based section to its menu.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/PlantBasedAdvocates. To be notified about group events, send your name, city and email address to karenr@phc.net.
