FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 6, 2015
Media Contact: Lauren Cerny
770-500-8667
lcerny@students.kennesaw.edu
Meatless Monday Provides Huge Health Benefits
Kennesaw State University to implement new dining program to promote healthy living

KENNESAW, Ga. The Kennesaw State University Dining Commons plans to start a new
program on Monday, Oct. 29 to promote an environmentally conscious and healthy meatless diet.
Meatless Monday aims to improve the health of students while simultaneously raising
awareness about the need for sustainability in the food industry.
Meatless diets can provide the different fats that the human body needs while eliminating
unhealthy saturated fats. By replacing red meat and full-fat dairy with foods that are rich in
polyunsaturated fats, such as vegetables oils and nuts, the risk of heart disease can be reduced.
Research has shown that consuming high amounts of red, processed meats can increase the risk
of Type 2 diabetes, and consumption of this type of meat is associated with increases in total
morality. Some benefits of a low-meat or vegetarian diet include lower body weights, lower
BMIs, and a reduced risk of getting certain types of cancers.
Kennesaw State University is committed to being a role model for other large organizations in
the community, said university President Daniel Papp. We strive to better the lives of our
students in every way possible.
Not only would going meatless benefit the health of participants, it would also help keep the
Earth clean. Globally, meat production generates an estimated one-fifth of man-made greenhouse

gas emissions. The amount of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of conventional
beef is about 40 calories, while it only takes 2.2 calories of energy to produce one calorie of
plant-based protein. Even more shocking is the amount of water needed to produce one pound of
beef- estimated between 1,800 and 2,500 gallons. In comparison, growing one pound of soy tofu
only takes 220 gallons of water.
In the grand scheme of things, going meatless for just one day per week isnt too difficult, said
student Leah Hayes. I take pride in the fact that my school is actively involved in the health of
its students and the culinary sustainability movement.
The Kennesaw State University Dining Commons is a 54,000 square feet facility that typically
feeds about 30,000 people a week. The Commons has nine separate areas that serve a wide
variety of foods. Food items available at the Commons changes almost daily, giving students and
faculty many options to chose from while they catch up with friends or study.
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