Unpaid TSA Workers at Airports Across the Country to Receive Free Vegan Groceries From PETA

For Immediate Release:
March 17, 2026

Contact:
Nicole Perriera 202-483-7382

As major U.S. airports seek donations of food and household essentials for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers missing paychecks during the partial government shutdown, PETA supporters will be delivering suitcases packed with nutritious and delicious vegan food and other supplies to TSA agents at several airports across the country.

The suitcases—bearing signs reading, “Kindness Cleared for Takeoff. Vegan Food for TSA.”—will contain non-perishable, animal-friendly essentials including shelf-stable vegan milks, vegan jerky, protein bars, dairy-free mac and cheese, and more, as well as food, treats, and toys for companion animals. PETA’s first stop will be on Wednesday, March 18, at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, followed by major airports in Denver, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, and others across the country where workers are seeking community support.

“We know TSA agents have a lot to navigate right now, and eating vegan can help them stay nourished and healthy as they keep travelers safe,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “PETA thanks our country’s TSA agents for their dedication and hopes this donation helps them through these turbulent times—and shows how vegan staples benefit animals and budgets alike.”

Cows develop friendships over time, chickens form complex social structures, pigs show empathy for other pigs who are happy or distressed, and fish have long memories and sing to each other—but in today’s meat, egg, and dairy industries, the animals are raised in filthy, crowded conditions and violently killed.

Each person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals every year. Vegans save money at the grocery store, too, as many vegan foods—including pasta, rice, tofu, and beans—cost significantly less than meat made from animals. Vegans are also less likely to suffer from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, strokes, and obesity, which can help prevent high medical bills in the future. PETA’s free vegan starter kit is filled with tips to help anyone looking to make the switch.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.