UCLA Dining, in collaboration with the Humane Society of the United States, aims to shift 50% of campus entrees to plant-based options by 2027. As the nation’s No. 1 dining program, UCLA prioritizes sustainability. Guests can enjoy a diverse range of delicious plant-based meals, complete with dietary and allergy information, while also being informed about the meal’s carbon footprint. The popular Bruin Plate dining hall has championed fresh, wholesome, and plant-forward choices since 2013, and there are plans to introduce a new plant-based restaurant on campus within the next two years.
“This alliance is poised to create a lasting influence on the cultural landscape at UCLA,” said UCLA Senior Executive Chef Joey Martin. “By working closely with the Humane Society of the United States, we will be able to push our shared vision forward. Together, we aim to explore innovative ways to enrich the dining experience for our students, focusing on elevating the appeal of our plant-based dishes to create that 'wow' factor.”
UCLA’s dining team also encourages feedback from their undergraduate customers, tapping student groups like the Animal Welfare Alliance and Lives Without Knives (which recently hosted UCLA’s inaugural VegFest featuring over a dozen plant-based vendors and local organizations) to survey their classmates on what cuisines and options are desired.
“This commitment is a huge step towards aligning our university with its values of sustainability, diversity and compassion,” said UCLA student Parker Do. “I’m looking forward to the introduction of globally inspired plant-based dishes that are naturally free from animal products, for the massive impact on the environment and lives of animals, and more progress to come.”
