March 20th may be known as the first day of spring, but it’s also a global call to action. For decades, MeatOut Day, started in 1985 by the Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM), has united millions worldwide to explore plant-based living through education, advocacy, and community. Each year, the movement expands with opportunities to make a difference at home, online, and even at your favorite restaurants.

What is MeatOut?

Founded in 1985 by FARM, the first United States-based animal rights organization, MeatOut Day, or The Great American Meatout, inspires everyone to rethink what they put on their plates. Over 80 billion land animals are raised and slaughtered annually for food, often in inhumane conditions to create meat-heavy meals, even though plant-based diets are linked to lower risks of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Animal agriculture drives deforestation, water pollution, and global greenhouse gas emissions. Participants take a stand for their health, the animals, and the planet by skipping meat for just one day.

MeatOut goes beyond what happens in our kitchens: this global movement is about advocacy, compassion, and community building. Join us in promoting MeatOut Day by creating posts about plant-based living, sharing memes and videos about the benefits of a vegan-friendly diet, sharing your favorite plant-based products, swapping plant-based recipes, hosting a vegan potluck or dairy-free ice cream social, and using the hashtag #MeatOut on all posts to link the global conversation with curious users and like-minded advocates.

Dining out for MeatOut? Discover Plant-Based Options Nationwide

Embracing MeatOut doesn’t mean sacrificing convenience or flavor. Thanks to The FARM Buzz’s vegan-friendly restaurant guides, building a plant-based meal is even easier at many major restaurant chains across the country. Indulge in the Vegan Beyond Burger or crispy Korean Cauliflower Wings at Yard House, which are detailed in our comprehensive guide below. Coffee lovers can sip a Vegan Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew at Starbucks, while comfort-food enthusiasts might opt for the Impossible Burger at The Cheesecake Factory, complete with a 2026 menu breakdown.

Craving something casual? Build a veggie-packed sub at Subway with avocado and Sweet Onion Sauce, or customize a Crunchwrap Supreme at Taco Bell with beans and guacamole. Even Italian classic cravings are covered with Olive Garden‘s Minestrone Soup and marinara-based pasta. Explore The FARM Buzz’s guides linked below for a full rundown of options, from Burger King‘s Impossible Whopper to Starbucks‘ vegan-friendly snacks and drinks:

Interested in making some delicious meals or snacks at home? The FARM Buzz has a variety of recipe-based articles to try including:

We also have a wide array of post options for vegan-friendly snacks:

Why is MeatOut Still Relevant?

The urgency of MeatOut’s message has never been clearer. Climate scientists warn that global food systems must transform to avoid ecological collapse. At the same time, health experts increasingly confirm that plant-based diets are a shield against modern epidemics like obesity and diabetes. Public awareness of factory farming’s horrors is growing each year, fueled by documentaries and undercover investigations.

The numbers to support removing meat from our plates speak volumes. Studies reveal that plant-based diets can slash colorectal cancer risk by 22% and reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by up to 73%. If every American skipped meat once a week, the emissions saved would equal removing 6 million cars from roads annually. For animals, the stakes are existential: Each person who adopts a vegan lifestyle spares nearly 200 animals per year from slaughter. MeatOut’s strength lies in its grassroots approach, blending education, policy advocacy, and accessible food choices.

Join the MeatOut Movement

Every March 20th, let the spirit of spring renewal inspire your plate. Skip meat, recruit a friend, and share your journey with the hashtag #MeatOut. When our everyday choices are rooted in compassion for health, the planet, and animals, we all forge a path toward a brighter tomorrow. Want to really get involved in MeatOut and other FARM programs and campaigns? Join the Compassionate Activist Network and receive periodic actions for the animals.

Explore The FARM Buzz’s restaurant guides to make plant-based dining effortless and delicious. When we all work together, it’s easy to transform a single day of action into a lifetime of meaningful change.

* Article Updated from 2025