In its recently passed budget bill, the state of California took a huge step forward in promoting healthy plant-based meals in public schools. The budget included $100 million to assist schools in procuring foods that are plant-based, locally grown, and accommodating of restricted diets. The state allocated a further $600 million to upgrade school kitchen infrastructure and food service worker training, in part to facilitate preparation of plant-based meals. California becomes the first state to publicly fund plant-based options in schools, which has important implications for animal welfare, local agriculture, and the environment.