Step #1: Use the checklist below to find out what vegan options your cafeteria provides and what it is lacking. When it comes to information about ingredients, you may have to ask the cafeteria staff for help.
Does the cafeteria provide vegan products?
- Soy milk
- Rice milk
- Hummus
- Tabouli
- Couscous
- Vegan salad dressings (Italian, Catalina, vinaigrette, etc.)
- Vegan cream cheese
- Vegan sour cream
- Vegan ice cream
Does the cafeteria provide a vegan option for every nonvegan option?
- Meatless sauces for all pasta dishes (including lasagna)
- Bean, rice, and vegetable fillings for fajitas, burritos, and tacos
- Tofu and tempeh with Chinese rice or noodles
- Beans and textured vegetable protein (TVP) instead of meat in chili
- Scrambled tofu for breakfast
- Veggie burgers and veggie dogs
Does the cafeteria use vegan ingredients?
- Replace meat stock with vegetable stock in soups, grain dishes, and sauces
- Replace animal fat with vegetable oil to deep-fry or sauté
Does the cafeteria provide vegan breads, muffins, cookies, and cakes?
Does the cafeteria provide ingredient labels for all dishes?
Step #2: Look over your completed cafeteria checklist and separate all the vegan options that your cafeteria is lacking. Because your cafeteria will probably phase in one vegan option at a time, it is important to rank your goals for more vegan options in order of importance. Although some goals for vegan options are more easily met than others, this list will provide both your organization and the administration with a list of priorities.
Step #3: Make a list of all the vegan options your cafeteria currently provides. Separate the list into two categories: foods to keep and foods to eliminate. State very clear reasons for your decisions. The administration may not understand vegan expectations and will appreciate feedback about the food that they already prepare. Be sure to give lavish praise for dishes that you particularly enjoy; positive reinforcement is always the best way to make progress.
Step #4: Start compiling a list of all the delicious vegan foods that your organization is going to recommend to the cafeteria manager. In addition to creating a list of your favorite vegan recipes, you'll also want to check out the following Web sites:
PCRM's Vegetarian Restaurant Starter Guide
This guide published by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine will help get your administration officials and cafeteria staff moving in the right direction. For large-volume recipes, ask PCRM about its Gold Plan!
Moon Rose Vegetarian
Want a major food distributor with an amazing selection of vegan food essentials? Look no further! Moon Rose Vegetarian sells muffin mixes, textured vegetable protein, frozen soy desserts and more—all at quantities big enough for your cafeteria!
