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

[ValerieVomit]

We all received an email at work to say that when we order catering in future for work related events we can only order vegetarian and vegan food. The management team has imposed this. It's to reduce our carbon footprint. I don't think that this means there is to be no carnivorous food available for the rest of the organisation but our department won't allow us to order any.

Reasonable or not?

I suppose it depends if you’re happy killing the animals for meat. Most ethical vegans and vegetarians aren’t. Appreciate the discussion here doesn’t seem to be in that camp.

GPS recommend b12 supplements to many people including meat eaters.

They do work.

If we are talking about reducing carbon footprint, then surely it is the farmed meat that is the issue, not the killing? Not so much for work lunches that are likely to be sandwich based, but for cafeteria food, recipes like wild venison bolognese would be a good alternative.

Thankyou for this.
Very interesting

I wasn’t referring to reducing carbon footprint, just the ethics of killing for some.

This thread is about introducing policies that restrict food choices for all, including omnivores.

Yes…thanks…I got that!

No.

They are not introducing policies to restrict what people eat. They are restricting what they have available to people at events. This is not the same thing.

I worked in a place that stopped providing free tea and coffee. It didn't stop people from drinking tea and coffee.

They are restricting what they have available to people at events.
This is restricting the choice of food available.

For one occasional meal. Not their entire diet.

It's restricting what they offer.

Other food is still available - people can bring their own if they really can't cope with the idea of not eating meat one lunchtime.

Not what I said

They’re probably being less restricting for vegetarians and vegans than what they currently offer.

Any food offered as part of a corporate lunch will be restricting in some way. I’ve never been to one that I could have whatever I wanted - it’s picking from what’s on offer.

My original point was that it is nothing to do with the ethics of killing, only carbon footprint.

However many will agree with the policy, as some MNs have on here, because of more than just the reduced ‘carbon footprint’. The conversation can progress without being completely diverted.

It is therefore completely relevant to mention ethical issues, just as deer culling has also been brought up.

Which is perfectly valid.

I'm pretty sure not many caterers will justify the cost of wild venison for a buffet, and I'm pretty sure there wouldn't be enough for everyone if that was all the meat available.

I never used to be fussy about food but trying to lose weight, eat healthily, am also gluten free and dairy intolerant has massively restricted me when I’m not providing the food!
2 work events this week involving food
A - only thing I could consider was some GF flapjack but not sure if had butter so took a lactase tablet and grabbed some fruit out of my car
B - nothing I could eat at all other than some pickled red cabbage and a wizened tangerine - thankfully I had some falafels in my handbag so didn’t starve
I’ve just got used to always carrying snacks and if I find anything I can eat it’s a bonus!

It's a good idea in principle, but in reality it will end up being an utter waste because most of the food will go straight in the bin. It's what happens to most vegan food offered at many of my places of work, while any meat is consumed first and fastest. Same with "vegan, sugar-free, keto" sweet options - most go to the bin. While people gobble down the sugar and butter-full brownies and muffins.

I don't mind the ocassional veggie meal, but most of the veggie/vegan catering food I find bland and unsatisfying (even more than the bland meat options), so I would personally bring my own meals and not have the company-provided food.

@aurynne that's not the case in my personal experience at vegan catered events. Especially if there is no meat option on offer. If there is no meat option (which it sounds like there was at your events hence people going to the meat options) then people will be compelled (if hungry) to eat the vegan / veggie food as there is no alternative. So I don't see why there would be more waste than normal. Of course, it depends on the quality of the catering though.

Yes, and that is what i am basing my assumptions on. Catering for most companies is not known for its great quality.

It's very difficult to compel adults to eat food they don't like unless they are starving. I would say almost impossible.

But isn't some of that because people are mindful of not eating things labelled vegan so there is enough for the people who are actually vegans?

If all the food is vegan then people will help themselves to it all.

I'd avoid some food labelled vegan unless I knew what it was made of like houmous. I'd avoid anything labelled sugar-free in case of sweeteners. It wouldn't make a difference if there was other food available or not. Things like daal and veggie curries I'd happily eat.

People who have been eating vegan for years have got their tastebuds used to its flavour, but when you eat everything, mass-produced vegan food tastes bland and unsatisfying.

Yes, there can be some delicious vegan dishes, but most places (and people) don't spend the time, money in ingredients and thoughtfulness needed to produce vegan food that can compete in flavour and deliciousness with omnivore food.

Most vegetarian and vegan catering where I work... well... would taste much better with a meatball on it.

I can cook much tastier and easier food at home, so personally I would bring my own. And I know I am far from the only one who would.

When have you ever been to a work buffer and seen a label “sugar free”?

and forgive me if I missed that you have allergies but what are you expecting to be “hidden” in a vegan sandwich that isn’t also hiding in a ham sandwich or a sausage roll vs vegan sausage roll? Or dairy based salad dressing vs vegan one?

This thread has taught me that some work buffets are amazing.

scotland venison, wagu beef, chicken legs and not a sausage roll in sight at some of these places. You must share where you work, I won’t eat your buffets but if the other perks are as good as that I’m in!