Greener cafeterias for a greener future

At Dyrenes Ambassadør, we have joined forces with multiple plant-based organizations and companies that share our goal of accelerating the shift to a plant-based diet in Denmark's cafeterias. Learn more about our partners here.

Why plant-based?

There are many reasons to offer more plant-based dishes in cafeterias. Here are some of the most important:

HealthIn the dietary guidelines, it states that we should eat many more plants than we do today, and it is crucial that children and young people develop good eating habits early on. By serving plenty of vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fruit, we ensure they meet all their nutritional needs while learning that healthy food can be genuinely delicious!

Climate and biodiversity    Over a third of Denmark’s CO2 emissions come from agriculture, and 80% of Danish agriculture is livestock-based. Half the country is used to grow feed for these animals, putting enormous pressure on nature and biodiversity. We have a duty to teach the next generation to care for the planet and its ecosystems—and it starts on our plates.

InclusionMany people live with food allergies, some of the most common in Denmark stemming from animal sources (shellfish, milk, fish, and eggs). Many are lactose intolerant; others avoid certain foods for religious reasons (mostly animal-based), and others choose to eat vegan or vegetarian for ethical, health, or climate reasons. Plant-based dishes are inherently inclusive to all these people.

TaxesDid you know that plant-based food is often cheaper than the animal-based alternatives? We know every institution has a budget to meet, and the hesitation to embrace plant-based options often comes from the belief that they’re more expensive. This is usually a misconception, as multiple studies show vegan diets to be the most affordable!

The AnimalsThe animals we eat are sentient beings who endure captivity, oppression, violence, and pain. In Denmark, most parents teach their children that mistreating animals is wrong—but at the same time, it’s normalized to mistreat and kill non-human animals so we can consume their meat and milk. Given what we now know about animals, nutrition, and health, there's no doubt you can thrive without animal products. Choosing vegan actively reduces suffering and rejects industries that exploit non-human animals.

Free workshops for cafeteria staff

While these reasons strongly support moving toward more plant-based options, we understand change isn’t always easy. That’s why, together with our partners, we offer free workshops for cafeteria workers, sharing recipes and knowledge about plant-based dishes.

Workshops are provided by both Organic Plant Food and Plantevækst, depending on availability, location, and number of registrants. Both have extensive experience training cafeteria staff and have achieved excellent results. Their workshops combine theory—covering the benefits of increasing plant-based food intake—and hands-on practice, teaching how to use various products and inspiring with delicious plant-based dishes (cafeterias handle food purchasing themselves).