By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Five years ago, a workgroup with representatives from nine federal departments and agencies including the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Defense created a document, Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities. This document was designed to “ensure that healthier foods and beverages are available and encouraged at federal facilities, that environmentally responsible practices are conducted in federal food service venues, … communities are economically supported through local food sourcing, [and] that food safety practices are followed to minimize the risk of foodbourne illnesses.” An updated version of this document has not been published as of November, 2022.

This document promotes greater use of plant foods and potentially could result in more vegan-friendly items being available in federal facilities. Federal facilities include federal prisons, national parks, Veteran’s Administration (VA) hospitals, museums, and government buildings. Foods can be purchased in these facilities in various places ranging from cafeterias and snack bars to concession stands and vending machines. There are also locations where food is served such as federal prisons, military dining facilities, and federal hospitals. The food safety guidelines in the document apply to venues where food is available for purchase and where food is served. The other guidelines were created for venues where food is sold although they could be adapted for venues where food is served.

The guidelines for food service  are classified as either standard (what is expected) or innovative (food services are encouraged to do these). All guidelines are considered to be voluntary.

Here are some of the guidelines that are most relevant to vegans:

• Offer a variety of low-fat dairy products (or dairy alternatives) daily such as milk, … and fortified soy beverages. [standard]
• Offer a variety of non-fried protein foods such as seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), nuts, seeds, and soy products daily {standard}
• Offer protein foods from plants such as legumes (beans and peas), nuts, seeds, and soy products daily {innovative)

Environmentally responsible practices that are recommended include

• use of compostable single-service items,
• use of reusable plates, cups, utensils, etc.
• use of environmentally friendly cleaning products,
• at least 25% of foods and beverages served should be locally sourced and/or certified organic (at least 10% of foods and beverages served in vending machines),
• reduce food waste

Reference:

Food Service Guidelines Federal Workgroup. Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2017

To read more about vegetarian options in federal facilities see:

Veggie Meals In (or Near) National Parks

Prisoners’ Rights, Religious Practice, and Vegan Meals in Prison

Do Prison Inmates have a Right to Vegetarian Meals?

Food Service Update and Quantity Cooking Information