Mercy For Animals is working alongside the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Humane World for Animals, and nearly two dozen other groups, including local environmental and student organizations, to support groundbreaking legislation in Massachusetts that could transform how public institutions serve food.
Known as the “Bean New Deal,” Senate Bill S.922 would expand access to plant-based protein options across public programs and institutions throughout the state. From public universities and colleges to senior nutrition programs, this legislation ensures that people who want plant-based meals can actually access them.
Why The Bean New Deal Matters
Millions of people in the U.S. who rely on public food programs or utilize public dining halls currently face barriers to accessing food that aligns with their health needs, cultural backgrounds, or personal values. When public institutions fail to provide plant-based options, they exclude millions of people from fully participating in everyday spaces like schools, hospitals, and senior programs.
Public Health
Diet-related diseases continue to take a devastating toll. Conditions strongly linked to diet, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are among the leading causes of death. According to leading medical authorities, including the American Medical Association and the American College of Cardiology, plant-based diets can help prevent and manage many of these conditions.
Dietary Equity
By expanding access to plant-based foods, this bill would also create a more inclusive environment for food preferences and dietary restrictions. Offering more plant-based food options could better accommodate a variety of diets chosen for moral, health, or religious reasons. In fact, an estimated 30 to 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, with higher rates among Black, Indigenous, and Asian American communities.
Climate Impact
Animal agriculture is a major driver of climate change, contributing roughly 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting toward plant-forward meals is one of the most immediate and effective ways to reduce environmental harm.
What the Bean New Deal Would Do
The legislation introduces practical, commonsense updates to food programs across Massachusetts by:
- Requiring at least one plant-based protein option at every meal in public colleges, universities, and state facilities
- Ensuring low-income seniors have access to plant-based meals
- Providing training and incentives for school systems to expand their plant-based offerings
- Integrating plant-based cooking and nutrition into culinary and vocational training programs
- Ensuring WIC participants can request plant-forward food packages
- Incorporating plant-based nutrition into school health curricula by 2027; and
- Expanding food access programs to include plant-based nutrition awareness
Together, these changes would make plant-based eating more accessible.
What We’re Doing
Mercy For Animals has been actively working to advance this legislation by meeting with lawmakers, hosting a State House briefing, providing testimony, and mobilizing supporters across Massachusetts. And in a major milestone, the bill was favorably voted out of the Joint Committee on Public Health in 2025 and now awaits consideration by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
This progress reflects growing momentum behind policies that prioritize public health, sustainability, and access for all.
Take Action
The “Bean New Deal” is a clear example of how policy can improve everyday life by ensuring that people have access to food that supports their health, respects their needs, and reduces harm to the planet. And as more states explore similar policies, Massachusetts has the opportunity to lead the way. Together, we can help build a food system that works for everyone—including animals!
For everyone else, you can help by contacting your legislators, supporting organizations working on this issue, and choosing more plant-based foods in your own life. Take the next step by exploring our “How to Eat Vegan” guideand signing up to volunteer.
