Work sustainability policy dictating crap food

[ThisBrickOtter]

So, my employer has gone on a sustainability bender (don't look at this happening at the same time as the expensive and resource consuming rebrand). This now means for our dept get together, which usually has food, only vegan or vegetarian options are available. This is really annoying me.

I'm a pro thought for the environment type but my choices don't extend to meat (I don't find the vegan argument convincing, I do the vegetarian one, but got ill when tried that). I consume what meat I can afford, thoughtfully.

I do have an unusual relationship with food. Part neurodiversity (this extends to authority at times, something I keep an eye on!), part poor childhood. I think this might be contributing to my reaction.

But yep, I feel angry that my food choices are being taken away. Last meeting I was at where they did this, only the sweet food got completely finished. The savory vege sandwiches and fallafel was picked at. Same with the fake chicken. The policy is resulting in more food waste, not less. So that annoys me too.

I have no issue with people's personal choices, but this feels like being lectured to about drinking but a very drunk uncle.

AIBU feeling this way?

Honestly OP I'd say you need to suck it up. Who expects to have their exact choice of meal at this sort of thing where food is provided? Even if they served meat, it might not be exactly the meat you'd want. And how many of these meals do you think veggies and vegans have had to sit through for years nibbling on some dry bread and lettuce leaves because there wasn't much else provided?

Also it's fine to choose to eat meat, but to pretend there aren't sustainable arguments for veganism and vegetarianism is just obtuse.

I’ve no issue with vegetarian and vegan food. There are some great vegan sandwich fillings and picnic foods. I do have an issue when it’s all processed fake crap. I don’t eat processed meat and cheese, so I’m not going to eat processed fake meat and fake cheese.

I also have an issue with businesses which wax on about their sustainability goals and making everything vegetarian or vegan in that vein, who then serve up almond milk, avocados, tropical fruit platters, and salad vegetables in December.

If they are serving "fake meat" options then spare a thought for anyone who is gluten free as their choice will probably be fresh air. When it comes to mass catering you can't please everyone, the most economical option is to provide food that most people can eat, even if it wouldn't be their first choice. Even if it's not veggie or vegan you will get people who wanted chilli rather than chicken curry or pork pie rather than quiche, it's how it goes. Yes its better if you really enjoy it but events like this are what pack up boxes were made for! As a coeliac I always take one.

I'm with you op, grit your teeth and wait for the next corporate big idea to wash in. Be reassured that it's unlikely to last long and that the tide is steadily turning on this kind of nonsense.

I think, if they are providing veggie and vegan food it's better if it's not mimicking meat as it's worse than ethically produced meat. I'm veggie and hate being given a vegan option in restaurants-I like my cheese thank you!

It's an illness that only affects people who feel guilty about eating meat but not enought to actually stop.

I honestly wouldn't mind, if it was nice proper food and with plenty of dairy/egg options.

The fake meat or strictly vegan would piss me off though. You can create loads of nice things for one meal without meat but that doesn't mean processed crap.

Is there any way to feedback (ideally with photos of food waste) and suggest get together isn’t catered at all or some type of preference expression to avoid food waste.
How is it labelled for allergies. Fake imitation food needs ckear labelling eg real cheese - dairy intolerance knows to avoid. Vegan ‘cheese’ made from oil, additives etc may need avoiding by people with nut allergies etc.

I think the problem is when companies do this they often get crappy carrot sandwiches and don’t get anything nice. The equivalent crap sandwich for meet eaters is probably a bot which is just nicer than some grated carrot in bread.

The best wedding catering I’ve ever had was vegetarian. It can be done really well but I think people put no effort into catering for work events.

@ThisBrickOtter wouldnt be going to that night out then!!

I dont eat meat because I don't want to eat an animal. Eating fake meat means I get to enjoy along the lines of what I want to without eating an animal.

Pre-COVID, our lunchtime training sessions would be catered with sandwiches. I didn't usually like the sandwiches available (too much mayonnaise, flavour combos not to my taste) so I just had lunch before/after or brought my own to the session. It's not my employer's job to cater to my personal preferences.

Post-COVID, they did away with catered lunches to reduce food waste.

take your own pork pies

Exactly!

I also feel I've done my time at corporate events when the only thing left for me was the salad garnish!

It wouldn't be great for me as the only 'work meeting' type sandwiches I like are smoked salmon, tuna, prawn, egg, or chicken and bacon. So I'd just not eat anything.
Would they let you just bring in your own pack lunch? If not I'd just eat later on.
I think you could find out how the others feel. If lots of you aren't liking it then they may reconsider.
Fake chicken etc is revolting in my view. And far from healthy or environmentally sound. Maybe the catering just needs improving?
Could you set up a poll?

I'm not veggie but easily can be as I like eggs and cheese and falafels etc a lot - I've rarely had anything vegan though at a buffet to enthuse about apart from crisps or a bit of cake -

As a vegetarian I’ve been pleasantly surprised if there is something at a work buffet I actually find tasty. It’s never occurred to me to complain because I know my diet is “unusual” and there is normally something that caters to me even if it wouldn’t be something I’d pick myself.

Surely the same applies here? I’d get it if they only provided you with one sandwhich type but if you really can’t stomach egg, cheese, falafel or fake meat then it’s you who is unusual /fussy rather than the food letting you down?

Also, quorn, tofu and other fake meats ARE more environmentally friendly than meat. They all have a much lower carbon footprint. You are welcome to still find them revolting or whatever but you won’t win at work from a sustainability pov.

Good point re food miles. If the sustainability policy is online you could raise how catered food isn’t complying with policy as x and y were provided.

@Bjorkdiditlist is fine lots to eat if it’s veggie but lots of catering now make vegan by default so that removes egg and cheese so no cheese or egg sandwiches, no pizza, no quiche or frittata. What’s left is quite limited and often spicy or made up of multiple ingredients that it’s hard to assess if suitable for allergies.

I was on a virgin flight on their 40th birthday and afternoon tea box had a pink bagel and birthday cake. The cake was dire absolutely inedible and I don’t think I’ve had a cake I couldn’t eat before. It was vegan when I read label. Most of the food was wasted - whereas a portion of regular birthday cake would have been eaten by majority of customers. But no doubt it ticked boxes on paper but actually was edible and led to huge waste.

Make your own sandwiches with beef you have cooked yourself, I used to when in similar situation.

YANBU

Take your own meat based foods each time?

hide a peperami up your sleeve or take some grated steak to sprinkle over yours to stave off the vegetable induced nausea you poor lamb

Strictly vegetarian and vegan offerings tend to be trickier in terms of allergy avoidance so I find them irksome. It makes providing full ingredient lists and asking about allergens in advance even more important. Labeling common allergens is not sufficient.

i have issues around the ultra processed vegan food.
Vegetarian is fine - i love cheese. I prefer organic.

But how often are you having these shindigs at work that it is worth worrying about? is it a real hardship just to have a bit of the veggie option now and again?