food

Vegan Plant-Based Food to Repalce Beef at University of Helsinki

Helsinki, FinlandCredit: Tapio Haaja

Helsinki University cafeterias are eliminating beef from lunches and providing more vegetarian and vegan fare as of February 2020, in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

"The idea came from the staff when we were pondering our next socially responsible move. We realized that this would be a way to significantly cut our carbon emissions," explains UniCafe business operations director Leena Pihlajamaeki.

They calculated that removing beef from the menu will cut the carbon footprint of the meals it serves by 11 percent, or around 240,000 kg of carbon dioxide annually.

UniCafe, the company that handles operations of the universities eateries, is aiming to increase sales of vegetarian and vegan lunches to over 50 percent of all food served by the end of next year.

Pihlajamaeki adds that plant-based lunch alternatives will be promoted by placing them at the start of cafeteria self-service counters, making them the first dishes hungry students see.