Library of Plant-Based Guides & Toolkits

The Plant-Based Defaults and Nudges Library is for advocates, schools, businesses, governments, and anyone who dreams of only being served delicious, plant-based food/drink by default when going out to eat: plant-forward dining.

We’ve witnessed firsthand how the right people, network, and resources can fast-track food service transitions into sustainable food systems. Use the resources below to build your case, write a policy, or guide implementation in your community.

With help from the Plant-Based Defaults NGO Network, we’ve gathered the most effective and practical guides and toolkits for every transition stage to more sustainable, plant-forward food service.

Resources

Plant-Based Nudges & Defaults

• The Research on Nudges: Plant-Based Defaults Work
• Greener by Default Resource Guide

Communications & Language

• Edgy Veggie Toolkit: How to incorporate taste-focused labeling to encourage healthier eating
• How to Talk About Food and Climate Report and Toolkit: Food for Climate League
• Menu Language Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Optimizing Plant-Forward Dish Descriptions, Food for Climate League
• Plant-Rich Diets: Project Drawdown

Food Service

• EAT-Lancet Brief for Food Service Professionals
• Food Service Guidelines: Balanced
• Forward Food Earth Day Toolkit
• Institute of Culinary Education Online Plant-Based Culinary Arts & Food Ops Training
• Plant-Based Product & Vendor Directory: Balanced
• The Food Service Industry Protein Sustainability Scorecard: Humane World
• The Food Service Playbook for Promoting Sustainable Food Choices WRI
• The Food Service Professional’s Guide to Plant-Based Meals: Forward Food

Universities

• The College and University Protein Sustainability Scorecard 2025: Humane World For Animals
• Plant Based Treaty Universities & Colleges Playbook

K-12 Schools

• A Recipe for Combating Climate Change by Friends of the Earth
• Balanced K-12 Food Service Toolkit
• Organic School Food Roadmap 
• Plant Based Treaty Early Childhood Education Playbook
• Plant-Based Trends in California’s School Lunches (2024) by Friends of the Earth

Cities

• A Toolkit for Incorporating Plant-Based Protein Measures in Municipal Climate Action Plants
• City Food Policies Factsheet
• City Governments and Plant-Based Food Analysis by Faunalytics
• Climate-Friendly Cities: The Center for Biological Diversity
• EAT-Lancet Brief for Cities
• Meat of the Matter: Friends of the Earth
• Municipal Food and Emissions Guidelines

Coffee Shops

• How to Flip Your Frappe for Plant Milks
• Oat Milk by Default for Coffee Shops by Better Food Foundation
• No Milk Tax

Businesses & Hospitality

• Corporate Engagement with ChooseVeg
• The Business Case for Plant-Based with ChooseVeg
• Vegan Hospitality Consultant Training
• Vegan Hospitality’s Global Hospitality & Tourism Certification

Recipes

• 27 Plant-Based Food Dorm-Room Recipes
• The Humane League Plant-Based Starter Guide
• AfroVegan Society Recipes & Vegan on a Budget Videos
• Culinary Institute of America Protein Flip
• Climate-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes for Schools by Friends of the Earth
• Forks Over Knives 40 Easy Plant-Based Recipes
• Forward Food Recipe Database
• GoodFood 76 Vegan Student Recipes
• PCMR Universal Meals
• Support & Feed’s Plant Powered Playbook
• Switch4Good Plant-Based Power Plate
• Switch4Good Dairy-Free Swap Guide
• The guide to plant-based meals
• The Human League Plant-Based Starter Guide
• The Plant-Based School 35 Plant-Based Recipes
• The Savory Vegan
• Veganuary: Recipes from all over the world organized by meal of the day

Pledges & Commitments

• Cool Food Pledge by World Resources Institute: 25% reduction in GHGs from food by 2030.
• Forward Food Pledge: Commit to transitioning at least 33% of your meat-based entrees to plant-based entrees annually through the end of 2027.
• Meatless Monday: Cut out meat one day a week and enjoy more plant-based meals.
• Plant Based Treaty: Endorse this call-to-action and put pressure on national governments to negotiate an international Plant Based Treaty as a companion to the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.
• Veganuary: Start with a 31-day program that provides meal plans, a cookbook, nutrition guides, and coaching emails.

Sports & Athletics

• Plant Based Treaty Sports and Athletics Playbook
• Switch4Good Athletes Power Plate & Hub

Reach out to chat with our team about getting started, get plugged in with our partners and other advocates like you, and share your progress so we may spotlight your successes!

Contact us if you want to add your guide to the list.