Is Vice President Kamala Harris vegan? At least until 6 pm, according to plant-based Las Vegas restaurant Tacotarian.
On Monday, Harris visited the Arts District location of Tacotarian complete with her motorcade, police, ambulance, and press. Tacotarian’s staff had only a few minutes to prepare for the vice president’s visit after a White House representative announced that Harris would be coming by.
According to Vegans, Baby — an online blog, brand, and comprehensive guide to being vegan in Vegas — Harris told Kristen Corral, co-owner of Tacotarian, that she has been “dabbling” with veganism and currently only eats meat after 6 pm.
She also said that she first heard of the plant-based taco restaurant through vegan senator, Cory Booker (D-NJ), a Tacotarian regular.
Harris spent time meeting staff and greeting customers on her arrival, and according to Tacotarian co-owner Kristen Corral, the vice president was polite and seemed more than happy to chat before making her order: two mushroom asada tacos, two carne asada tacos, and two super tacos, featuring a “gabacho” crunchy shell, refried beans, and a flour tortilla.
“We were so honored that the Vice President of the United States decided to pop in today and try our little taco shop,” co-owner Regina Simmons told Vegans, Baby.
“When you wake up in the morning, you never think or wonder if the Vice President will stop in to our restaurant today. It’s just mind-blowing,” she added.
Is Kamala Harris vegan?
While Kamala Harris may not be a strict vegan, she has previously discussed the importance of reducing meat consumption. Speaking to CNN back in 2019, she said that the U.S. government needs to incentivize environmentally-friendly food decisions on a national level.
The vice president has also said that she would support adjusting the U.S. dietary guidelines to reduce the recommended amount of red meat, in particular.
In addition to personal health concerns, red meat production has a huge impact on the environment, and the raising of cattle consumes large quantities of natural resources, produces methane, and causes deforestation.
In December last year, JIVINITI Women’s Coalition (a primarily women of color-led initiative of the women’s advocacy nonprofit Virsa Foundation) started a petition urging Harris to adopt a vegan diet for the duration of January 2021.
The coalition suggested that transitioning from industrialized animal farming to plant-based food production could also help address the “pink recession” — the disproportionate impact of the ongoing pandemic on women.
“Kamala Harris is a role model for millions of people, especially women, and women of color,” said Nivi Jaswal, president of the Virsa Foundation.
“By taking a position on healthy, whole-food plant-based eating, she can help drive a fundamental transformation in the way America produces, processes, and eats food,” she explained.
