Catering
What is on the menu for vegetarians and vegans in care?
With the popularity of vegan and vegetarian (veg*n) diets growing at an unprecedented rate, care providers need to be equipped to cater for veg*n residents or risk letting them pass their establishments by. Chef Claire Bannerman from UK charity Vegetarian for Life explains how this innovative charity aims to improve the lives of older veg*ns and support their carers
It is important that the care sector responds to the increasing demand for veg*n dishes. As the leading authority on diet and healthy living advice for older veg*ns, Vegetarian for Life (VfL) is here to help you successfully meet the challenge. One of the charity’s major goals is to
improve the standard of veg*n catering by promoting its UK List – a directory of care facilities and food suppliers that follow its best practice guide, pledging to cater well and ethically for older veg*ns. Meeting the needs of a diverse range of older people is important to us, and we hope that VfL will become the first port of call for information for vegans, vegetarians, their families, friends and a broad range of care caterers with our wide range of initiatives: n Working with care homes and carers to help ensure that the beliefs of vegans and vegetarians living with dementia are upheld.
n A Memory Care Pledge for care homes, based on health and social care standards.
n British Dietetic Association-accredited nutrition guide and care caterer training webinar series.
n Publications for carers, including Lunch club catering for older vegetarians and vegans,Food fortification, Dietary diversity in the care sector, and a Vegan rescue pack.
n Developing and sharing easy and tasty recipes, including ones for people with
Some individuals have been vegan or vegetarian for a number of years – maybe even decades
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swallowing difficulties, or vegan versions of traditional meals.
n Publications such as Veggie meals to your door, Cooking on a budget, and a self- advocacy guide for protecting residents’ vegan or vegetarian values and beliefs in care.
n Co-hosting the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vegetarianism and Veganism – helping us take our advocacy on behalf of older veg*ns to Westminster. So far, we have campaigned on veganism and vegetarianism as protected beliefs, food and medicine labelling, the impact of diet on climate change, institutional catering provisions – and the future holds so much more.
The Memory Care Pledge Some individuals have been vegan or vegetarian for a number of years – maybe even decades. As they enter the care system, their family may make clear their food preferences – but what if the person themselves is no longer able to remember this?
VfL’s Memory Care Pledge contains
five key measures to ensure that vegan and vegetarian residents can continue living the rest of their lives the way they intended. It is a promise that their beliefs and values will be upheld and respected, even if they experience issues with capacity or cognition. Amanda Woodvine, chief executive of VfL,
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com May 2023
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