Freedom of information response

Council vegan catering options

Publication date: 
Friday 9 June 2023
Request: 

With regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty, does your decision-making regarding the provision of food take into account the fact that veganism is a protected characteristic for the purpose of the Equality Act 2010? Yes/No

How many vegan hot and cold meal options do you offer:

In your own local authority canteen every day (if you have one)? 0, 1, 2, 3 or more. Please also express this as a proportion of the overall number of options offered. 

In external events catering (if applicable)? Eg: 0, 1, 2, 3 or more.

Please also express this as a proportion of the overall number of options offered.  

Is a requirement for providing vegan hot and cold meal options included within the catering procurement contracts you issue for other catering provision for which you are responsible including schools, leisure centres, care homes, libraries, and any other public buildings?  Yes/No

Has your organisation taken any action to reduce meat and dairy consumption in order to meet environmental goals?

·        If yes, please detail what actions have been taken, e.g. 100% or 50% plant-based food options offered.

·        If no, do you have ambitions to take action in this area, eg through setting meat reduction targets? Yes/no, if yes please detail what ambitions you have set out.

Response: 

With regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty, does your decision-making regarding the provision of food take into account the fact that veganism is a protected characteristic for the purpose of the Equality Act 2010? Yes

How many vegan hot and cold meal options do you offer:

In your own local authority canteen every day (if you have one)? 0, 1, 2, 3 or more. 4

Please also express this as a proportion of the overall number of options offered.  Around 30%

In external events catering (if applicable)? Eg: 0, 1, 2, 3 or more. We do not provide external catering only to schools through the school meals service.

Please also express this as a proportion of the overall number of options offered.  N/A

Is a requirement for providing vegan hot and cold meal options included within the catering procurement contracts you issue for other catering provision for which you are responsible including schools, leisure centres, care homes, libraries, and any other public buildings?  YesThe School Meal Service actively ensures that we provide a varied offer.

Has your organisation taken any action to reduce meat and dairy consumption in order to meet environmental goals? Yes, the School Meal service has the Silver Food for Life Award and has taken action to reduce meat. The current menu is 71% meat free and plant-based dishes. 15% of those are plant based, 6% of dishes are fish and 9% of dishes meat.

·        If yes, please detail what actions have been taken, e.g. 100% or 50% plant-based food options offered.

·        If no, do you have ambitions to take action in this area, eg through setting meat reduction targets? Yes/no, if yes please detail what ambitions you have set out. N/A

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Request reference:
FOI 12803