SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — Assembly member Ash Kalra (D-San José) has been appointed chair of the newly formed Assembly Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation, a move aimed at strengthening California’s position as a national leader in sustainable food systems.
The appointment, announced by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, places Kalra at the helm of efforts to explore and support the fast-growing alternative protein sector, which includes plant-based, cell-cultivated, and fermentation-derived foods. Supporters say the industry could deliver wide-ranging benefits, from job creation and economic growth to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower resource use in food production.
“This committee is about more than just boosting a promising sector of our economy,” Kalra said in a statement. “It’s about investing in climate-smart food solutions that meet the needs of a growing population.”
Kalra, 53, represents California’s 25th Assembly District, which includes most of San José and parts of southeast Santa Clara County. First elected to the Assembly in 2016 and re-elected to a fifth term in 2024, he also chairs the Assembly Judiciary Committee and serves on the Housing & Community Development, Labor & Employment, Natural Resources, and Utilities & Energy committees.
The new select committee will hold informational hearings to examine how California can expand the alternative protein economy while aligning with the state’s ambitious climate and sustainability goals.
California has become a hub for innovation in this space. The state is home to major players in the plant-based meat industry and was the birthplace of the first cultivated meat startups in the U.S. It also hosts a growing number of companies using precision fermentation to create novel protein sources.
Kalra has long advocated for investments in alternative proteins. In 2022, he secured $5 million in state funding to support the University of California’s research focused on next-generation protein development. That funding has helped UC scientists advance technologies with backing from both federal and private sources.
“The focus of this committee is not just about fostering a vibrant alternative protein economy in California,” Kalra said, “but also putting forth climate solutions in our food systems.”
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the global food system accounts for roughly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional animal agriculture contributes significantly to that total, in part due to methane emissions from livestock and the vast amounts of land, water, and energy required for feed crops and production. Alternative proteins—especially those produced via fermentation or cell cultivation—are seen as potential solutions to many of those challenges.
Proponents argue that reducing dependence on conventional meat and dairy products could play a critical role in helping California meet its climate goals while supporting local farmers and food entrepreneurs through expanded markets and technological innovation.
Kalra, the first Indian American elected to the California State Assembly and a former San José City Council member, emphasized the economic opportunity as well.
“This is about growing a new economy that supports innovation, sustainability, and public health,” he said.
The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation is expected to convene later this year for its first hearings. Speaker Rivas said he created the committee to keep California at the forefront of forward-looking food policy and green economic development.
