World Vegetarian Day: How to Eat Vegetarian at Work?

On the occasion of World Vegetarian Day, which takes place on October 1st, we at Ensuite, wish to speak on this matter. Whether from a health, well-being, or environmental perspective, we have always been committed to offering vegetarian corporate meal options so that all members of the same team can eat to their satisfaction in one place. Today, on this global day, we want to share with you our tips to make the vegetarian option not really an option anymore, and for all companies to be able to embrace plant-based eating if the desire is there 🤓

According to us, the absolute essential for companies to incorporate more plant-based options in their meals or cafeterias would be to offer a genuine vegetarian menu , rather than just a vegetarian option. Consequently, a vegetarian menu should be offered every day, at every meal, at a fixed price, so that plant-based eating can have its rightful place, just like meat and/or fish menus 👍

To see change actually happen, it must be genuinely offered. Knowing that a menu has been thoughtfully considered changes the game. Your team's vegetarians will likely feel understood and more integrated, ultimately strengthening the company's smooth operation 😉

Another rather crucial point would be to make this vegetarian menu a fixed-price menu that is equivalent to the other menus. Eating vegetarian doesn't necessarily have to be more expensive than consuming a meal based on animal proteins. In fact, it's often the opposite. Therefore, offering a menu with a more affordable price or at least on par with the other menus will be an opportunity to promote plant-based options on the plate. Especially in times like these, when everyone primarily looks at their wallet with every expense 💵

A more appealing vegetarian menu would undoubtedly attract many supporters 👍.

If your goal is to attract more people to plant-based options, you'll need to make it more appealing and enticing. In fact, many of your colleagues may not really know what to expect when they hear about a vegetarian menu. Perhaps they secretly think, like many others, that you're going to offer yet another green salad with a vegetable patty, but not at all 🙂

To make others eager to try and explore the world of plant-based options, it needs to be intriguing. So, don't hesitate to describe the dish in question. Talk about its taste, flavors, the ingredients used, what the menu includes, whether the dish is delicious, tasty, indulgent, healthy, or unique. Mention if the ingredients are French, local, or organic. If the dish is served with fresh, locally-sourced fruits and vegetables bought at the morning market... In short, provide information about the dish to make it unique and appealing to your colleagues' eyes 😉

One key to generating greater interest in plant-based options in the workplace is to promote how enjoyable it is to consume meatless menus 🙂

Don't hesitate to explain that a meatless meal is not only better for the health of your colleagues but also for the environment and for their wallets. Being honest about it will likely gain you new advocates 👌

Finally, what if you introduced a plant-based day for your employees? This is becoming quite common in school cafeterias nowadays, and you can certainly draw inspiration from it.

This could be an opportunity to eat differently, taste new things, and change the minds of even the most skeptical individuals. Just as Fridays are often still considered a day for eating fish, you could offer your teams "Vegetal Thursdays," for example. It's a chance to come together and share a flavorful, colorful, original, and plant-based meal while dispelling preconceptions 🥗

Ultimately, the most important thing is to offer accessible plant-based and vegetarian solutions. At Ensuite, we've chosen to offer a vegetarian meal tray that evolves with the seasons but has a prominent place on our marquee. A small gesture that may seem insignificant but, in the end, makes all the difference. Thinking about vegetarians or people who'd like to occasionally follow a more plant-based diet is a way of thinking collectively and bringing about change. So, are you convinced? Do you want to try incorporating more plant-based options into your meals? 😃