Free Calculator Estimates Meals and Emissions Foodservice Operators Can Cut With Plant-Based Nudges

The Better Food Foundation has released the Plant-Based Nudge Calculator, a free online tool that helps dining operations estimate how many animal-based meals they could replace with plant-based dishes by changing how food is presented, along with the carbon emissions saved. Users input three figures - meals served per day, days open per year, and customers per day - and select one of five behavioral nudges to receive an annual estimate of meals moved to plant-based and emissions saved. The calculator covers options such as plant-based defaults, placing plant-based items first in the service line or at the top of the menu, and more.

Cost data from hospitals and caterers show potential procurement savings by implementing plant-based meals, such as NYC Health + Hospitals saving $0.59 per meal by making plant-based meals the default for patient lunch and dinner. A London university caterer found that plant-based recipes cost 30% less than meat dishes. The calculator was developed by Björn Ólafsson with input from experts in the field, and BFF emphasizes the importance of running the strongest single nudge as a baseline before potentially combining nudges when more research allows.