ZL + aes) > Impact Report www.plantedsociety.orgTable of Contents About the Initiative Why San Antonio? <> titative cools | 8 Community Participation Es frome | 1 I ie Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023Planted Society's Mission: To make plant-based eating more accessible to ensure a better future for the planet and all living beings. What is the Plant Based for the Planet initiative? Plant Based for the Planet is an initiative created and managed by Planted Society, a U.S. nonprofit. Each initiative is a partnership and collaboration between Planted Society, a specific U.S. city, and individuals and organizations local tothe area. The project aims to raise awareness about food's role in climate change, inspire the community to make choices that benefit the environment, and increase patronage at locally-owned restaurants who add plant-based specials to their menus during the initiative. The restaurants who join in each city are small, locally owned businesses. They each create at least 2 new plant-based specials that remain on their menu for the period of the promotion. Those partners also carry signage at their physical locations and distribute postcards for the initiative, which include information on all participating restaurants and instructions for the public's participation. At the end of the month, sales data from each restaurant is analyzed to determine the climate impact of the plant-based dishes served. A community survey is also distributed, where participants vote on their favorite dishes and answer questions that help us understand their views on diet and climate change. To date, Planted Society has activated the initiative in 3 cities: Austin, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and Montelair, New Jersey. Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023We partnered with 12 local San Antonio, TX isa unique and diverse city known for its rich history. Sitting 75 miles southwest of Austin, San Antonio co-sponsored the initiative has a population of 1.4 million people and with the City of San an average household income of $5Sk, around 32% below the national average. restaurants and Antonio’s Office of Sustainability and local As we looked to make an impact within our organizer ‘Vegan in San =—rh—eE— as a compelling partner. The city's Office of Antonio.’ Sustainability was enthusiastic to support a pro-climate initiative, making it a perfect fit for our third city partnership. We were also excited to collaborate with the team working on the Por Vida! program, which recognizes local restaurants making an effort to prioritize the health and wellbeing of the San Antonio community. Along with our restaurant partners and the Office of Sustainability, local organizer “Vegan in San Antonio’ helped to engage and inspire the community during the promotion. Together, we helped unite San Antonio citizens and small businesses ina shared commitment toa healthier and more sustainable future. Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023To determine the success of each Plant Based for the Planet initiative, we set 3 measurable impact goals, summarizing each witha key question. ite / a Community Environmental Lasting Participation Impact Change The first goal of the initiative was fo attract participation from diverse members of the community, including individuals who were already patrons at our pariner restaurants, as well as city officials and local organizations. Will people express support for the initiative and will regular diners purchase plant-based specials? We wanted to show the San Antonio community that occasionally choosing plant-based dishes results in the emission of fewer greenhouse gasses: When measured collectively, the ‘community-wide impact is magnified & meaningful. Will the public's participation in the help San Antonio meaningfully lower its climate impact? Finally, we wanted to see if the experience of the initiative encouraged our local restaurant partners and individual participants to make enduring commitments that would have a positive impact on both animals and the planet further action to help continue lowering their impact on the planet? Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 20234 Key Question: Will people express support for the initiative and will regular diners purchase plant-based specials? Sources: We analyzed the results of our restaurant and community surveys, social media metrics, and included known information about local supporters. San Antonio's initiative surpassed all past Plant, Based for the Planet challenges in reaching over 749,000 impressions. We reached over 55,000 in-person individuals in San Antonio at our partner restaurants. Restaurant partners reported over $13k in sales. Impact for 100% of restaurants reported they would participate Restaurant in the initiative again. Partners Partners reported they now feel more positive about customers who order plant-based options. 41% of those who interacted with the Plant Based for the Planet initiative discovered it at a restaurant where they were already dining. 73% of those who interacted with the initiative did not describe themselves as vegan. Initiative Audience 82% of those surveyed said they wanted to see Public more plant-based options on menus going forward . Restaurants reported overwhelmingly positive Perception experiences regarding their participation in the initiative, and no negative interactions! Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023Visualizing Community Participation feet | $13,400+ Total sales dollars that Plant Based for the Planet brought to 12 San Antonio businesses Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023HE) oe! 82% San Antonians surveyed who said they would like to see @ e e @ more plant-based menu items at restaurants in their city. 41% People who interacted with the Plant Based for the Planet initiative who discovered it at the restaurant where they were already dining. Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023Key Question: Will the public’s participation in the initiative help San Antonio meaningfully lower its climate impact? Sources: We analyzed the results of our restaurant and community surveys along with data from Joseph Poore & Thomas Nemecek (2018), Foodprint.org, WaterCalculator.org, and more - noted in acknowledgements. Collectively, the San Antonio community saved Reduced 42,064 Ibs of CO2 equivalents, primarily in the form of — Carbon Dioxide and Methane. To arrive at this number, we calculated the estimated Gasses lowered impact from choosing each plant-based dish, multiplied by servings and by the amount sold. 536,662 gallons of water were saved, or about the Reduced equivalent of hydrating 3,000 people for one year Water The water impact of plant-based foods will always be considerably lower than that of animal products since massive amounts of crops are grown for the sole purpose of feeding animals raised for food. Footprint Nearly 10 million square feet of land were saved: Reduced That's over 180 football fields! Land Land use is much lower with plant-based foods when Use compared to animal products due to the amount of land we use to grow crops to feed the animals in our food system. Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 202342,064 lbs Greenhouse Gasses - Mostly Carbon Dioxide & Methane - that were saved by San Antonio citizens who chose Plant-Based Meals in October. Or another way to think about it: The general equivalent of driving an average-sized passenger vehicle across Texas... 6,000 times Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023536,662 Gallons of water saved by San Antonio citizens who chose Plant-Based Meals in October Or the equivalent of taking... 26,000 showers! a (or 15,000 baths) a s ° Ls é @ po © Er Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023Visualizing Environmental Impact (Land) 9,721,153 Square feet of land saved by San Antonio citizens who chose Plant-Based Meals in October That’s enough land to grow... wheat for 250,000+ loaves of bread Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 202311 Lasting Change ty Key Question: Will individuals and initiative partners take further action to continue lowering their impact on the planet? (yes, they will!) Restaurant Partners who said they would keep one or more of their plant-based specials on the menu OR create something entirely new (and plant-based) to go on their permanent menu. 88% 22% also committed to adding a plant-based key to their menu. 64% of non-vegans who participated @eeee in Plant Based for the Planet said the initiative inspired them to eat AALLH more plant-based foods. And San Antonio's Office of Sustainability GTYOF SAN ANTONIO made the most commitments! OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY * To offer fully plant-based options at their holiday gatherings and other office celebrations + Implementing a monthly plant-based post centered on the following topics: Why is plant-based better for the planet? The positive impact of plant-based diets Animal-free recipes Easy plant-based ingredient swaps * To participate in Meatless Mondays during Veganuary * To coordinate a plant-based post on the City’s Wellness newsletter * And their final aim is to sponsor one fully plant-based event (this is still in progress) Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023Why People Supported Plant Based for the Ura iSnTT Fre R CO CNS Peugeot y ena toad Reus ig Rescues Oem rai Pasa toa STEEN Retty oc Since my wife and I have never eaten a dish at [The Jerk 7 enacted I‘malready Shack] that we didn't erat een aa co) vegan and love Lee eae Peer ents h sa tetcd supporting Plant Based for the Pee etc) places with are ees Crem eenee | vegan options. ass It's great for the animals and planet! a) San Antonio is so diverse, and its food options should be, too! Ifeel better knowing that what I'm purchasing is better for the environment Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 202313 Why People Supported Plant Because it has helped me get better control of my health Based for the Planet Because Stacy and John [at The Station Cafe] are great! reat oc s Because I COU tated N rare oat NTC reine CEA Iwant to take actions that are more sustainable. believe in supporting local businesses Eeecoatyiay oetatarocal rerautits ace cine ee ns Ra aE tT Seta) feel healthy. Lam inspired by this initiative! This program is sure to Pee plant-based eating and to help people learn about how foo choices impact personal carbon footprints. Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 202314 "We're happy to sponsor Plant-Based for the Planet in San Antonio because we believe it promotes community resilience, environmental responsibility, and a future where everyone thrives." - Yvette Hernandez, Vegan in San Antonio “We love our customers and we are excited to offer new plant-based dishes for the month of October that are healthy and also environmentally friendly.” - Christine Lieu, Chef & Owner of Vietnam Gardens “We're excited to be a part of this initiative and showcase how Caribbean food can also be enjoyed ina plant based diet and show how we can impact environmental change.” - Nicola Blaque, Owner & Chef of The Jerk Shack Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023"We firmly believe that incorporating plant-based options into our menu is a step in the right direction for both our business and the environment. It's about offering delicious, nutritious, and planet-friendly choices to our guests while reducing our ecological footprint," - Bryan & Mariana Rojas, owners of Bilia Eatery 15 “Our menu selection is assembled through an Ayurvedic lens for digestion and health. Our ingredients are hyper-local yet globally inspired, and change with the seasons. Pharm Table is thrilled to highlight plant based dishes that promote balance in body and mind.” - Owner & Chef of Pharm Table Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 202316 After working with San Antonio for our third initiative, we learned some valuable lessons that will help us aim higher and make an even greater impact for future city challenges. Offer multiple avenues of interaction Set ambitious goals Balance opportunity with strategy At the campaign’s onset, community members and local businesses always reach out to see how they can help in other ways than by simply visiting our partner restaurants. In the future, we will have a list of actions ready to share with individuals wanting to further the mission in our partner city. We feel each of our three initiatives has given us a gradually improved understanding of the impact potential of each partner city. We feel empowered to confidently set more ambitious and achievable goals, knowing we're closer to unlocking their full potential for positive change. After extensive research to craft a meticulous strategy for our expansion, we've realized that nothing beats partnering with a city that truly wants our programming. We will widen our focus to include more partnerships with communities that demonstrate a strong desire to embrace our initiative. Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 202317 How we’re using our learnings in Austin, Montclair, and San. Antonio to advance our initiative’s mission in 2024 and beyond: We will train We will We will volunteers develop the develop closer to lead blueprint for a partnerships their own version of with other initiati the initiative organizations As we further evolve the We will develop tailored We will foster deeper program, our goal is to versions of our program, partnerships with offer free training to customized for specific aligned organizations, individuals passionate cities, groups, and utilizing Plant Based for about bringing the organizations. This the Planet as a conduit initiative to their cities. targeted approach will to elevate awareness We envision a more enable us to provide and support for their inclusive approach where specialized assistance shared causes and Planted Society assumes and resources, missions. Through a guiding role, empowering groups to these enhanced empowering and engage with restaurants, collaborations, we will supporting individuals promoting plant-based amplify our collective keen on bringing options, and advancing impact while advancing impactful change to their sustainability efforts the shared values and communities through the within niche objectives we hold with initiative. communities. those organizations. Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023Acknowledgements We would like to acknowledge the incredible work of staff, volunteers, collaborators, reference works and supporters during this initiative. Without the individuals and businesses below, Plant Based for the Planet San Antonio would not have been possible. Concept, Operations and Program Design Britty Mann, Executive Director of Planted Society Sponsors, Partner Organizers and Supporters The City of San Antonio's Office of Sustainability Yvette Hernandez and Vegan in San Antonio Tamarra Callahan, Leslie Antunez, Krista Hiddema and Deanna Meyler Restaurant Partners Bilia Eatery, Black Laboratory Brewing and 2-1-Dough Pizza Co., Kulture Kafe, MAAR's Pizza & More, Margarita's Tortilla Factory, Meadow Neighborhood Eatery & Bar, Pharm Table, Sweet Yams, The Cove, The Jerk Shack, The Station Cafe, and Vietnam Gardens Planted Society Board, Advisors and Volunteers Helen Carrillo, Tyler Espino, Morgan Fowler, Naomi Silverman, Kathryn Flynn, Dori Ginsburg, Marissa Barcza, Bernadette Vitale, Ronald Michele and Lewis King Impact Calculation Resources Carlsson-Kanyama, A., Ekstrém, M. P., & Shanahan, H. (2003). Food and life cycle energy inputs: consequences of diet and ways to increase efficiency; Poore, J., @ Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food's environmental impacts through producers and consumers; Watercalculator.org 18 Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023Get in Touch www.plantedsociety.org britty@plantedsociety.org @plantedsociety Plant Based for the Planet: San Antonio Planted Society 2023