Dear Mayor Lurie's Event Team,
I enjoyed attending last night's election party at Anina and celebrating the blue tsunami and victories for public transportation, especially Proposition H and the Regional Transit Measure.
But I was disappointed that, among the pizzas I saw being served, I couldn't find a single one without cheese. Of course, it's possible that plant-based options were available somewhere and I simply missed them. If so, I'm glad they were included! But that suggests another consideration: Plant-based choices should be easy to find, clearly identified, and plentiful enough that guests don't have to go searching for them.
I'm writing not simply as a vegan hoping for something to eat at the next party, but as someone who believes that our food choices should reflect our concern for animals, the environment, and one another.
Too often, plant-based options are treated as special accommodations for vegans or people with dairy allergies. But the reasons for serving plant-based food go far beyond individual dietary needs. Animal agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, uses substantial land and water resources, and raises serious questions about the treatment of animals.
These are concerns that should resonate particularly strongly in San Francisco, a city that prides itself on environmental leadership and compassion.
And there's a wonderfully simple solution: Make delicious plant-based food a normal part of every event. It's something everyone can enjoy, whether vegan or not. Even ordering a few pizzas without cheese would be a start!
I hope the Mayor's team will consider adopting a practice of including substantial, appealing plant-based choices at all its events—and perhaps making plant-based food the default, with animal products available by request.
After all, the choices we make when we're celebrating our political victories can be an expression of the values we're celebrating.
Could you please forward this suggestion to the person responsible for planning the food at last night's event and future gatherings?
Thank you, and congratulations on the election victories!
Tina Martin
