The Iowa Board of Regents heard from supporters of the livestock industry who are upset with the “Meatless Monday” project in the University of Iowa’s dining halls.  The comments were spurred in part by an article in the student newspaper which said the University of Iowa Student Government and Office of Sustainability came together to create Meatless Mondays based on a national program of the same name.  U-I student Lauren Mosher told the board she is a fifth generation beef producer and was concerned about the information that claimed meat is unhealthy.

Julianne Johnston, a graduate of the Iowa State University agriculture journalism program also spoke.

The discussion came during the public comment portion of the Board of Regents meeting and the board did not respond to the comments. University of Iowa spokesperson, Jeaneane Beck says students involved in the University of Iowa Student Government (UISG) began promoting Meatless Mondays by handing out flyers highlighting meatless options available in the dining halls. She says the student-led initiative did not alter the menu items available through U-I Housing & Dining and says meat continues to be served on Monday and every day at the university.