BERKELEY, Calif.: The city of Berkeley will start serving vegan food at public events, jails, senior centers and other city buildings after the city council approved an ordinance that calls for the progressive city to cut by half its spending on animal-based products by 2024.
The first-of-its-kind measure approved Tuesday and co-authored by Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arregun requires the city to offer plant-based foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds at public buildings.
It is the result of advocacy efforts by the Berkeley-based animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere, or DxE, which is working for similar policies to be enacted in other major cities, including San Francisco and Chicago.
The group had advocated for the city to serve 100% plant-based food but city officials did not want to go that far.
The ordinance does not apply to schools, which are operated by an independent school district.
Cutting meat and dairy consumption is part of the citys…