Staff at a number of separate NHS trusts have been offered free meals encouraging them to embrace Veganuary and try a plant-based diet in the name of “reducing our impact on the planet“.
Employees at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust will be offered free meals and cooking classes to encourage them to participate in Veganuary – the annual pledge that sees people give up animal products for a month.
“Veganuary is a wonderful opportunity for our staff to give plant-based nutrition a go, not only to improve their health but also to reduce our impact on the planet,” said health and wellness dietician at the Devon trust, Rosie Martin.
Other businesses which have been encouraging their staff to go vegan for the month include Claire’s, Lush, Just Eat and software companies Salesforce and Docusign, all of which are taking part in the Veganuary Workplace Challenge as part of their sustainability efforts.
Research has shown that following a vegan diet can reduce the environmental damage and emissions caused by food production and farming by as much as 75%, with increasing numbers of people considering how their diets contribute to climate change.
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Claire’s community lead Robert Frank said the initiative “further strengthens our commitment to becoming a more sustainable organisation”.
The Croydon Health Service NHS Trust, NHS North Devon District Hospital and the South Molton Medical Centre are also taking part in the initiative.
Tameside Councillor Denise Ward said it was “crucial” that consumers make changes to help protect the environment.
“It’s said that it is the single most effective contribution an individual can make to protect the planet. So, we are encouraging everyone to make the switch for the month or to try and make greener choices where they can.”
