CA Bets On Meat Alternatives: Kalra To Lead New Assembly Committee

India-West Staff Reporter

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San José) has been tapped by Speaker Robert Rivas to chair the newly formed Assembly Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation, a move aimed at advancing California’s leadership in sustainable food systems.

The committee will focus on the growing field of alternative proteins—ranging from plant-based and fermented foods to lab-grown meat—industries that proponents say could lower food costs, open new markets for farmers, create jobs, and reduce the environmental impact of traditional agriculture.

“This committee is about more than just boosting a promising sector of our economy,” Kalra said. “It’s about investing in climate-smart food solutions that meet the needs of a growing population.”

Kalra has been a consistent advocate for the field. In 2022, he successfully pushed for $5 million in state funding to expand alternative protein research across the University of California system, where scientists are developing new technologies with backing from both federal and private grants.

California has emerged as a hub for innovation in the sector. The state is home to the first major plant-based meat companies, early leaders in cultivated meat technology, and pioneering fermentation-based startups.

Supporters argue that alternative protein production can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions—food systems currently account for about one-third of global emissions—and curb the use of land, water, and polluting inputs associated with animal agriculture. Methods like cell cultivation and fermentation bypass methane-producing livestock and the need for large-scale feed crops.

Kalra said the select committee plans to hold informational hearings to explore how California can continue to grow the sector while aligning with the state’s climate and sustainability goals