May 2026 Lunch and Learn Series

Join an awesome group of people to enjoy delicious food and learn how and why to eat more plants. 

Why?

A whole foods plant-based diet is healthier, more sustainable and more ethical than a diet that relies on meat and dairy for protein. Let’s break it down…

• Health – Research shows that a whole foods plant-based diet can prevent and even reverse serious health concerns such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as help keep many cancers at bay. Healthy aging, improved mental health, and maintaining a healthy weight are other known benefits.
• Sustainability – Going plant-based is the easiest and least expensive action most people can take to reduce their carbon footprint, prevent deforestation and preserve biodiversity. Reducing emissions from food is just as essential to meeting our climate goals as moving away from fossil fuels!
• Ethics – Eating only plants eliminates reliance on concentrated animal feeding operations for animal agriculture that exploit and abuse workers, farmers, animals and surrounding communities. These operations are unsafe for us all as they contribute to antibiotic resistance and zoonotic diseases that jump between animals and humans.

May comes on the heels of Earth Month, but let’s be real – Earth Day is every day!  How about making a commitment to the planet’s and your own health? Join us this spring for a fresh start!

What?

Join a small group of local adults to build community, eat delicious, healthy and sustainable food, and LEARN how and why to shift to a whole foods diet of primarily plants. We’ll have time for light conversation, enjoy a meal together, and you’ll receive instruction from a certified plant-based nutritionist and 25+ year climate educator and advocate. In this small group of up to twelve people, everyone will get a chance to ask questions. You’ll make new friends who you can continue to go to lunch with after the series. And, you’ll support small businesses and our local economy. We’ll send you home with a packet of information at each meeting, including a new recipe to try for a healthy plant-based dinner that you can prepare in your kitchen.

Where and When…

Meet at a different Menlo Park, Palo Alto or Redwood City, California restaurant each week! Once you’ve registered and paid, you’ll receive details about the specific locations. These restaurants are all small businesses with accessible and comfortable dining areas and delicious food! All are located close to public transportation. We encourage you to walk, bike, ride or carpool (preferably in an EV) to meet us for lunch.

We’ll sample different cuisines on four Fridays in May 2026 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

• Friday, May 1 – Mediterranean
• Friday, May 8 – Indian/Nepali
• Friday, May 15 – American/Eclectic
• Friday, May 22 – Mexican

What’s for lunch?

We’ll curate and select an entirely plant-based set menu for you with a variety of dishes served family style. As much as possible, we’ll choose healthy, whole foods that are nutritious and sustainable. Disclaimer – cooking at home is generally healthier than dining in a restaurant where more salt and fats are often used.

Check please!

Your meal, tax and tip are all included in the price. Just show up and enjoy. For this amazing series of lunching and learning in good company, you’ll pay:

$260 – when you register and pay in advance for all 4 events

  or

$225 – when you register and pay in advance for 3 events

Well, what are you waiting for? There are only twelve seats at the table – reserve yours now!

Terms and conditions…

This is a non-refundable series and payment is due before your seat will be reserved. Seats are limited and will be reserved first come, first served upon receipt of a registration form and complete payment via Zelle or Venmo. If you’re sick or have a family emergency, and if you clear it in advance, you may send another adult in your place. 

You’ll receive an invoice by email after you submit your registration form. Food, tax and tip at all four restaurants are included in the program fee based on the special pre-set menu. Tap water will be served at the table, but if you wish to consume additional beverages, you can pay a supplemental fee. Gluten free? Allergic to nuts? Let us know in the registration form…

I’m going all in!

Maybe you’re making a big commitment to your health and the planet and you’d like more support? As a program participant, you’ll be eligible to sign up for a coaching package at a special discounted rate to support your plant-forward eating transition. Carbon Cutout can provide personalized, one-on-one coaching sessions to help you set goals, overcome obstacles and make even greater progress towards a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. For more information, request a free discovery session using the contact form below.

Contact Form

Have questions?

Submit the contact form below.

Note, this is not the registration form! To register for the event, click here or scroll down to the longer form.