Helsinki’s City Council has approved a measure to cut the city’s purchases of meat and dairy products in half by the end of the decade, replacing them with plant-based alternatives across publicly funded meal programs.
The proposal passed on February 25 in a 57 to 23 vote, drawing support from a broad coalition of council members. The plan, known as “Half Better” (Puolet parempaa), was introduced by City Councillor Mai Kivelä and directs municipal food services to reduce animal-based procurement by 50% by 2030.
The changes will apply to meals served in schools, daycare centers, hospitals and other city-run facilities. Plant-based dishes are set to take the place of a significant share of current meat and dairy offerings.
Following the vote, Kivelä described the decision as a win for climate policy, animal welfare and future generations, framing it as part of Helsinki’s broader environmental commitments.
The initiative aligns with a national campaign launched by Greenpeace Finland encouraging municipalities to scale back animal-based procurement. Dozens of similar motions were introduced across the country, with Helsinki’s decision representing the largest city-level action so far.
Supporters also point to financial considerations. Preliminary calculations conducted at Aalto University indicate that shifting a substantial portion of current meat purchases to plant proteins could save the city more than €3 million per year. Advocates argue that plant-based meals are already proving more cost-effective within Helsinki’s public catering system.
Jukka Kajan, executive director of the industry association Plant Based Food Finland, said the move provides greater long-term certainty for companies developing plant-based products. He added that predictable public demand can help domestic food innovators expand and compete internationally.
Helsinki serves millions of meals annually through its municipal food services. By adjusting procurement at that scale, city leaders are using purchasing policy to influence dietary norms while working toward stated climate and biodiversity targets.
