Meat Alternatives Gain Traction at U.S. Military Bases to Reduce Cost and Storage Challenges

Plant-based meat alternatives are not only options on store shelves—they are being served on U.S. military service member plates.

An amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2023 fiscal year would create a pilot program by March 2023 that could require the Navy to serve plant-based protein options at bases “where livestock-based protein options may be costly to obtain or store,” the amendment states.

A Navy Times article reports, Joint Region Marianas on Guam, the Navy Support Facility at Diego Garci in the Indian Ocean and Sasebo Naval Base in Japan may be example base locations that fit the criteria.

Navy Times reports, following the three-year pilot period, the Navy secretary would report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees the following information:

• The consumption rate of plant-based protein options by sailors at bases in the pilot program.

• Effective criteria to increase vegan meat offerings at other Navy bases.

• A comparative analysis of the costs to buy, store and serve the plant-based protein versus those for regular meat.

A separate resolution in 2021, introduced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), states the troops at participating bases would still have access to animal products.

While the cost of livestock-based products continues to rise in U.S. markets, places like Guam and Diego Garcia, where many grocery items are imported, costs are at incredible high levels.

For instance, a pound of chicken in Guam costs an average of $9, while a gallon of milk is over $11, Navy Times reports.

Meat Alternatives- State Side

For many livestock producers, the plant-based meat alternative craze and Bill Gates’ alternative meat agenda is still a concern.

In recent years, plant-based meals and meat alternatives have continued to increase in popularity among several U.S. miliary branches.

In 2019, burger chain BergerFi brought Beyond Burger to food courts on bases, such as Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, via a service partnership, Navy Times reports. The Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Va., has earned accolades from PETA for its efforts in vegan offerings.

The Guns and Rockets Dining Facility at Fort Sill in Oklahoma became the first Army facility to offer a 100% plant-based entrée during every meal in July 2018, according to a Stars and Stripes article.