Our Study Action was approved by the UUSM board in June. As a congregation committed to compassion, justice, and respect for the interconnected web of life, the UUSM Animal Ministry proposed that we commit to buying only plant-based or vegetarian food at church events with a new policy for the next year to see if this is an action of compassion we can maintain in the future. When organizing a potluck or other events for which people bring food, we would ask for 90% plant-based/vegetarian, minimal meat/eggs/dairy (since those do the most harm to the Planet).
Ways we can educate ourselves on more plant-based food options:
One of the first things we were asked to do for the congregation was to create a great list of resources for our leaders and members for easy plant-based and vegetarian food options for events or to bring to potlucks in the future. This live document is “Affordable Plant-Based Food Options Near UUSM”. The link will be in several places on the website: on the Social Justice page in Animal Ministry (the link is there in a blue outlined box), and soon in the Members Section and in the instructions for organizing events at UUSM.
On August 3rd, the Animal Ministry’s members Bruno and Amy Lacombe did a food demo and tasting of some easy plant-based options to use in meals at home or for potlucks.
On Sunday, September 14th, after service, there will be a Plant-Based Cooking Demo: Buddha Bowls & Weekly Food Prep + Animal Ministry Social Hour. Please add it to your calendar!
FAQs on this new Study Action:
More educational information will be coming over the next year to aid in this study/action that is taking place through June 2026. We’d like to hear your thoughts.
- What is Default Veg? It is a good compromise so we can say we’re prioritizing plant-based/vegetarian food. Some people can bring animal products, if they keep it to a minimum or ask for it upon request. Here is a bit more about it at the links below:
- Better Food Foundation – Touching on making your food more inclusive (allergies, racial justice, religious and cultural dietary needs, and Gen Z are future consumers of tomorrow.
- Jewish Food Ethics – Why a sustainable food policy is important.
- What is Greener by Default? Nudging institutions to serve more plant-based foods by default and promoting flexitarianism preserves freedom of choice. https://www.greenerbydefault.com/
- Does this mean we have to be plant-based or vegetarian? No. We are asking that when you are at UUSM and attending any UUSM event, we hope you can try to make the choice to do better for our Planet, the animals, and your health while you’re on-site. However, we are here to help you if you would like to do so, for all the reasons mentioned!
*Part 1 of 3 of this article is located at: UUSM Board Approves Study/Action for Possible New Food Policy
Please send a message with your questions, comments, or concerns to animalministryoutreach@uusm.org
