When Vegan Food Is Default, 81% Of Uni Students Choose It, New Study Finds

A study conducted by food service provider Sodexo Campus found that 81 percent of university students choose plant-based food when it is offered as the default option. The study involved presenting vegan and meat options to students in different ways over 35 lunch services at three different campuses. The data showed that more students opted for plant-based meals when they were the default choice compared to when both options were presented side-by-side.

This trend aligns with Sodexo's goal to convert 50 percent of its menu options to plant-based by 2025, in line with its climate goals. The experiment also showed a significant reduction in food-related emissions on days when the plant-based dish was the default option across the campuses. The push for increased plant-based catering on university campuses is also being driven by student demand for healthier and more sustainable food options, with some universities in the UK already taking steps to remove animal products from their menus.