Green drive leads to vegan-friendly PETA award

An initiative to boost the range of plant-based food served at campus cafes and remove beef from sale has seen Goldsmiths, University of London named as a “Vegan-Friendly University”.

Campaign group PETA included Goldsmiths in its list of 20 Higher Education institutions “that best support students looking for compassionate, eco-friendly food options”.

The group said Goldsmiths’ actions were “inspiring other universities across the country to replace meat dishes with vegan ones – and offer more vegan-friendly meals”.

PETA Director Elisa Allen added: “PETA commends Goldsmiths for offering healthy and delicious vegan food options that everyone can enjoy.”

The award comes after Goldsmiths was featured in The Observer for its commitment to providing more plant-based food in response to student and staff requests.

This academic year has seen College open its first café dedicated to serving plant-based dishes. The Professor Stuart Hall Building Café now offers balanced vegan and vegetarian dishes with the menu including vegan salads and a vegan sausage roll.

Other outlets on campus will continue to serve fish and meat-based dishes, with beef the only animal protein removed from menus.

The new vegetarian range was designed by Executive Chef Andrew Walker, who said: “We’re responding to what students and staff have asked for with this new selection of good quality, healthy and affordable dishes.

“Food can play such an important part in helping build communities – sharing a meal is an incredibly important part of the day and the new offering gives people the chance to sit down and enjoy wholesome food together.”

The café will also serve jacket potatoes with vegan toppers and a new macro salad bar. The new range will also be rolled out across other campus outlets like The Refectory and Thirty-Five Café.