Staff Report.Plant Based Diet
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Community Development
Director, Library Director, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/01/2022 ITEM NO: 13
DATE: October 19, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Provide Direction on the Approach to the Plant-Based Diet Education
Implementation Program in the 2040 General Plan (Environment and
Sustainability Element Program CC).
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction on the approach to the Plant-Based Diet Education Implementation Program
in the 2040 General Plan (Environment and Sustainability Element Program CC).
BACKGROUND:
In 2019, the Town Council adopted Resolution 2019-062 to establish Green Mondays and
Expand Plant-Based Offerings (see Attachment 1). This Resolution affects Town employee
activities and events organized by the Town for the public (e.g., Spring into Green) to ensure
that there are plant-based food options. In addition, in 2021, the Town updated its Purchasing
Policy to include Healthy Food and Beverage Guidelines that incorporated requirements to
offer plant based options when Town funds are being used.
The Los Gatos Plant-Based Advocates (Advocates) actively participated in the 2040 General Plan
update process, encouraging the Town Council to include an Implementation Program
regarding plant-based diet education. The Council agreed and this item was added to the
Environment and Sustainability Element as Program CC with the Town Manager’s Office and
Library Department as the leads.
In August 2022, the Town Manager met remotely with members of the Advocates to discuss
Implementation Program CC. Some ideas for educational events that could occur at the Town
Library included guest speakers, cooking demonstrations, or other programs. The Town
Manager encouraged the Advocates to work directly with Library Director Baker. The
Advocates were also interested in hosting an event at the Los Gatos Theatre and they were
asked to speak directly with the operator of the facility.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Plant-Based Diet Education DATE: October 19, 2022
BACKGROUND (continued):
The Mayor requested that this item be placed on the agenda for discussion and direction by the
Town Council.
DISCUSSION:
Some examples of cities enacting legislation and plans to promote plant-based eating that were
provided to the Mayor by the Advocates can be found in Attachments 2 through 7. While the
2040 General Plan Implementation Program focuses solely on education, there may be ideas
within the actions of other jurisdictions that the Town Council may want to include in an
education program.
Staff intends to bring the short term 2040 Implementation Programs (except for those in the
Land Use and Community Design Elements) to Town Council as part of its annual Strategic
Priority setting discussion in January 2023. With so many Implementation Programs, it is critical
for the Town Council to identify the Programs that should be built into staff and Town
Commission workplans for 2023 and 2024.
At the 2023 Strategic Priority session, the Council will also review its priorities for new
ordinances and policies. It is possible that the Town Council could add an Ordinance or policy
to further enhance its policy interest in plant-based diets.
Public comments regarding this item are in Attachment 8.
CONCLUSION:
For the Plant-Based Diet General Plan Implementation Program, staff recommends that the
Town take a facilitation role by making the Library available for potential plant-based education
programs put on by the Advocates.
Staff looks forward to Council direction as to how to move forward with the plant-based diet
education Implementation Program.
COORDINATION:
The preparation of this report was coordinated with the Community Development Director,
Library Director, and Town Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Discussion of this item has no fiscal impact.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Plant-Based Diet Education DATE: October 19, 2022
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Council’s discussion of this item is not a project defined under the California Environmental
Quality Act, and no further action is required. If the Council directs the preparation of future
ordinances, environmental review will be evaluated for those specific actions.
Attachments:
1. Town of Los Gatos Resolution 2019-062: Green Mondays and Expand Plant-Based Offerings
2. Mountain View
3. New York City Public Schools
4. Meatless Procurement Policies
5. California State Facilities
6. New York State Hospital Meals
7. San Francisco Jails
8. Public Comment