Here is a win-win action that you can do today. Good for your health, good for the environment.
One day a week, cut out the meat! Needham’s Meatless Monday Committee has launched a community-wide effort to encourage eating foods that prioritize human and environmental health. With the endorsement of the Needham Board of Health, and sponsorship by the Needham League of Women Voters, Green Needham, and the Needham Community Farm, the Meatless Monday Needham Committee has created a website, www.meatlessmondayneedham.org, that includes resources on the science supporting eating a more plant-based diet including more fruits, vegetables, beans, soy, and nuts, while reducing consumption of meat.
According to the research cited, consuming less meat, especially red and processed meat, can offer many health benefits, including reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. In addition, the scientific evidence shows that a diet rich in plant-based foods is much healthier for the planet, as meat production releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the environment and contributes to other environmental damage.
Meatless Monday Needham invites everyone to take a simple pledge: serve meatless, healthy, plant-based meals once a week for 12 weeks. To participate, simply go to www.meatlessmondayneedham.org and fill out the pledge form. Everyone who pledges by October 31 will be eligible for a drawing to win one of three free Purple Carrot plant- based meal kits. In addition, Meatless Monday Needham will donate $1 to the Needham Food Pantry, up to $250, for every pledge through October 31.
To support those who pledge, the Meatless Monday Needham website and Facebook page feature tasty recipes and cooking resources. First Parish has it’s own Meatless is More cookbook at https://uuneedham.org/learning/meatless-first-parish-online-cookbook/. Pledgers will also receive the Meatless Monday Needham newsletter, with recipes, links to interesting articles, and helpful information.
The First Parish Social Action Committee and Green Congregation Committees have voted to back this initiative. Please sign up.