A new study suggests that the EU could save €11.6B annually by shifting a majority of its public food procurement spending towards plant-based menus. Currently, 43% of the bloc's food budget for public institutions goes towards animal proteins, despite them only making up 32% of calorie intake and causing up to 86% of food-related emissions.

By increasing spending on plant-based foods in schools, hospitals, and other public institutions to 85%, the EU could save €3.16B directly from food budgets, €4.37B in avoided environmental externalities, and €4.08B in health-related costs annually. This shift would also reduce CO2 emissions by 8.9 million tonnes per year and help prevent nearly 400,000 cases of long-term obesity. The study highlights the potential financial, environmental, and health benefits of prioritizing plant-based food in public institutions.