About Us

Meatless Monday is a global movement with a simple message: one day a week, cut out meat for your health and the health of the planet. The campaign was started in 2003 by advertising executive and public health advocate Sid Lerner, the founder of The Monday Campaigns, in association with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF). Eating less meat and more healthy plant-based foods can help reduce the risk of some chronic diseases, preserve precious land and water resources and combat climate change. 

Meatless Monday’s message to “skip meat once a week” works because it provides a regular cue to take action on Monday, which research shows is the day people are most open to making positive changes. Starting each week participating in Meatless Monday can lead people to eat more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based meals the rest of the week. 

The campaign offers free resources and marketing materials to support people practicing Meatless Monday at home and implementing Meatless Monday activities in different settings. Meatless Monday has been adopted by a wide range of participants, including home cooks, schools, companies, hospitals, restaurants, and communities. Many media personalities and influencers have helped promote the campaign. Meatless Monday has become increasingly well-known over time, with nearly 40 percent of Americans familiar with the campaign, according to consumer surveys. 

Click here to learn more about the history of Meatless Monday and its roots as a campaign to help the war effort during World War I. 

CLF and Meatless Monday 

Since the campaign’s inception, CLF has provided technical assistance and served as a science advisor to Meatless Monday, in part by harnessing expertise from across Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Ellen MacKenzie, dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, issued a statement to mark Meatless Monday’s 20th anniversary. She commented on its remarkable history and continued relevance in addressing the multiple public health threats associated with high-meat diets.   

Meatless Monday Goes Global 

The Meatless Monday movement is active in more than 40 countries and  includes Meat Free Monday, Green Monday, and adaptations in more than 20 languages. 

Here’s a map of our partners around the world.

Check out our resources and become part of the movement!