January
2025
We kicked off 2025 with far-reaching plant-forward governmental and corporate policies. These wins set the stage for a year of impact for animals.
Expanding Plant-Based Options in Los Angeles County
United States
On January 7, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion that expands a previous policy we supported for offering more plant-based foods in county-run facilities. Mercy For Animals collaborated closely with county officials on this policy. We submitted written comments, testified, and secured testimonies from several partner organizations. The new motion requires that all new and renewing county foodservice contracts follow the standards we supported last year, including serving at least one plant-based entrée every day and offering plant-based alternatives to dairy products. Additionally, the county will calculate and track their progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and produce an annual climate-impact report with the findings. The report will include the amount of meat, dairy, and egg products and the amount of plant-based food products purchased for all county departments that serve or distribute food. The county currently has about 110 foodservice contracts, and all of them will now adhere to these plant-forward standards. These include contracts for four county-run hospitals and the Department of Parks and Recreation, Probations Department, and Department of Children and Family Services.
Growing Plant-Based Options in Sammamish, Washington
United States
After months of conversations with Mercy For Animals, the city council of Sammamish, Washington, (population: 65,000) voted to create a catering policy for serving plant-based food by default at city-sponsored events and meetings. We worked closely with city council member Sid Gupta on this initiative.
The council saw this as a way for the government to lead by example. We will use this win to build momentum in our plant-based policy work at state and local levels.
Advancing an Aquaculture Bill in Oregon
United States
A Mercy For Animals-supported industrial aquaculture bill was introduced in Oregon. If passed, House bill 2965 would ban the use of net pens—cages set up in coastal and estuary waters to farm fish. While Oregon currently has no commercial net-pen farms, this bill would prevent such farms and further deter the industry. California, Washington, and Alaska have already enacted similar bans.
The bill also seeks to address overcrowding in large fish farms by limiting the number of animals who can be kept in each facility. It requires these farms to follow scientifically supported standards that ensure fish are given space to engage in natural behaviors. The bill would also mandate that aquaculture facilities maintain optimal water quality and provide better aeration and oxygen levels for animals. It would also prohibit the use of genetically engineered species and ensure that facilities do not discharge waste into marine environments.
The aquaculture industry in Oregon is small but aspires to grow. In 2021, Oregon State University received a $700,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support the expansion of the state’s aquaculture industry and develop a model that other states could replicate.
The legislation would also create the Aquatic Animals Fund, which would support efforts to alleviate suffering for farmed fish. If enacted, the law will take effect in 2027.
Mercy For Animals has led this campaign since 2022 and grown a diverse coalition of organizations to support the bill’s success.
Eliminating Dairy-Free Surcharges
United States
Dutch Bros Coffee, the third-largest coffee chain in the United States by sales, announced it would no longer charge extra for plant-based milk. This move aligns the company with over a dozen other major coffee chains, including Starbucks, that now offer plant-based milk at the same price as cows’ milk. The change comes after more than a year of advocacy from Mercy For Animals, including an action toolkit shared with supporters, and support from partner organizations. Dutch Bros has 971 locations and plans to open around 30 more stores this year.
Scooter’s Coffee, the fourth-largest U.S. coffee chain, with 865 locations across 29 states, also dropped their plant-based milk upcharge at all locations after meeting with our team and hearing from Mercy For Animals supporters.
Gaining Media Exposure in Brazil
Brazil
One of Brazil’s leading media outlets, Folha de São Paulo, interviewed Mercy For Animals CEO Leah Garcés. In the interview, Leah discusses her new book, Transfarmation: The Movement to Free us from Factory Farming.
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“What keeps me focused is to remember that we are their only hope.”
—Camilla, an undercover investigator in Brazil