Food orders for work related events are to be vegan and vegetarian only

I’m not a difficult colleague and I would attend - but I would be bringing my own food. I can’t stand hummus etc.

I refuse to have vegetarianism forced on me.

You're right @Herdinggoats there's so much rubbish spouted about healthy and environmentally friendly vegan and vegetarian alternatives.

Half the time they're ultra processed and shipped from the other side of the world. Argentinan beef might have a high carbon footprint, but responsibility sourced British grass fed beef does not.

It's just more look at me virtue signalling, whereas actually it's zero effort for the employers and probably causes more harm than good.

Catered vegetarian food is often nicer, so I'd be quite happy with that (I'm neither vegetarian nor vegan). It makes sense from a sustainability perspective and from a simplicity in procurement perspective. Actually, we're doing a catered training event in a couple months and we are doing vegetarian food for ease. Everyone can manage to not eat meat for one (free) meal - or if they need a ham sandwich, they are always welcome to sneak out to Pret.

It would be OK if there was an abundance of decent vegetarian food outlets in your area. At the offices I've worked in it would probably translate to a tray of egg sandwiches and a tray of cheese sandwiches, which wouldn't be much to look forward to.

My poor partner (vegan and actively allergic to all dairy) often has a dire time finding anything to eat at work events, so I say bring it on - it's more inclusive and no one will die of eating veg options of any kind for one meal.

If being deprived of a reconstituted ham sandwich or an arseholes and eyelids sauasge roll at a non compulsory work buffet was the only thing I had to get irate about in the name of ‘virtue signally gone maaaaaaaad’ I’d be delirious with gratitude at how charmed my life is.

And then I’d ask for extra hummus.

I think this is really progressive and would support it totally in my work place. There’s going to be a likely environmental impact of every catered event and seeking to reduce that is never a bad thing. Just because it’s not possible to make it absolutely perfect in terms of environmental impact doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be making better choices that lessen the harm. We are in a climate and biodiversity crisis and those of us that can make a positive change need to.

Looking for excuses not to make a change, or not making changes because it doesn’t irradiate carbon footprint entirely is unhelpful.

It’s a stupid argument to simultaneously argue it’s unfair but also trying to point out x y z vegan product is carbon intensive. The company aren’t claiming the food is carbon neutral just that it’s reducing carbon. Even a highly processed quorn sausage is less intensive carbon wise than a meat one

No idea what they’re made of but some pastries actually don’t use animal products at all. Jus rol products are all vegan for instance. Lots of bog standard biscuits are vegan as well.

This probably won’t work for sandwiches but I find with wraps you don’t need butter or mayo.

Also if they are offering vegan AND vegetarian then chances are they will still be using dairy and eggs.

I would be ok about it as long as I could bring my own
im gluten and dairy free plus avoid processed foods so usually bring myself a salad and some protein and nibble anything else that fits in with that - great if fruit is provided too

It wouldn't bother me. It's surprising that so many people seem to think vegetarian and vegan food is all so unpalatable that they need to have meat.

I bloody love a vegetable samosa and a mushroom vol au vent. Wouldn't say no to a sausage roll or a ham sandwich either, but meat is only one part of my diet. Most of the food I eat is vegan or vegetarian - fruit, veg, rice, pasta, pulses etc. I would have thought that would be the same for most people tbh.

My brother is vegan, so are some of my dd‘s friends. I am not fussy in general so went to vegan cafes several times. I don’t like fake milk, fake cheese, fake butter. It all makes me feel sick. It would be fine to eat something that is “naturally” vegan (like some sort of soup or whatever), ie something that hasn’t had stuff processed to pretend to be cheese/butter/milk/cream etc. I would be pretty fed up if food at work was mandated to be vegan. Wouldn’t mind if it was vegetarian, as long as it wasn’t every day.

Just do collective disobedience and keep ordering what you want, as long as it is within the budget. Tell management to ask staff what they think on this sort of matter first before making a decision.

Presumably the sandwiches will have no butter or mayo on them though, how would pastries be made without animal products without using substitutes, where is the protein coming from in low quantities ?

Not always easy thought. My husband is dairy soya coconut nut and gluten intolerant. Seeing as processed vegan food pretty much always contains one or more of these, he would be limited to gluten free pasta, rice, fruit and veg if not allowed to eat meat/fish

I think the general rule is that meat has a higher carbon footprint than dairy products and that dairy products have a higher carbon footprint than most fruit and veg.

Agree with the posters who have said that the decision is reasonable but the rationale doesn't really make sense.

I'd be perfectly fine with it - if someone's giving me free food as long as its edible I wouldn't care about the type but would roll my eyes a bit at the "worthiness" of it.

I saw a post about an employer in the states where part of the job contract was you could ONLY eat vegan food on site -including bringing your own packed lunch etc. Now that's a bit unreasonable!

How are we meant to vote 🤔

But YABVU to have a meltdown. We don’t even get any free food! lol be lucky to get a biscuit. Suck it up I say!

I mean, how do people think the "dairy" is being produced - without cows?!

Net zero is just greenwashing.

Cheese is only just below beef in being carbon unfriendly.

I had a company that tried this week one I said where is the gluten free food? (They were supposed to provide it) they couldn't find it week two produced "gluten free oats" offering I had already told them I reacted to those also so that was out week three bought in a soya offering which my stomach hated week four I got a jacket potato I can eat those 😅 but the complaining that went on because I had a plain jacket potato was ridiculous

We ended up with free fruit Friday instead

Well obviously. From what I can tell from the OP however they are offering vegan and vegetarian buffets which sounds to me like dairy and eggs will still be available.

More and more companies are being held accountable for their carbon emissions and are looking at how to achieve net zero in a few years time.
Things like this might be a small difference but it all add up.

as long as there is a mix of foods surely everyone will find something for them (as long as allergies are catered for in addition). No one can dislike all vegetarian food.

Well, yes, if it's falafels, cheese boreks and egg butties.

But people don't want vegan chicken sandwiches and pea protein sausages. If it is made of actual vegetables and pulses I don't mind at all.