By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottingham City Council will only serve plant-based food at its headquarters from the end of September.
The change will be made to all food items served by the Labour-run authority’s internal catering service, which provides food for staff members working at its Loxley House HQ in Station Street.
Staff will also be encouraged to have plant-based milk alternatives. Milk will be substituted with a plant-based alternative for all drinks unless specifically requested otherwise.
The decision follows a petition set up by Sam Wessell of campaign group ‘Plant Based Councils’, which is calling on all local authorities to become 100 per cent plant-based.
A total of 42 people signed the petition.
During a Full Council meeting on Monday (September 9) the council was questioned on whether it would be making the change in a written question from a resident.
The question said: “The science is clear that meat and dairy are major contributors to the climate and ecological emergencies.
“Other councils, for example Oxfordshire County, Oxford City, Cambridge City, Exeter City and Calderdale Borough, are ensuring that all food served at internal events is plant-based, and I’d like Nottingham City to do the same.
“Therefore, given the climate emergency and Nottingham’s stated aim to reduce their emissions and be net zero by 2028, will Nottingham City Council ensure that all food and drink provided at internal events is plant-based, as other councils have done?”
Responding Cllr Sam Lux, Executive Member for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture, said: “I can confirm now that from Monday, September 30, we will only have plant-based internal catering from Nottingham Catering at Loxley House.
“This will be to encourage our employees to try these alternatives and potentially increase their uptake.
“Over the last few years the council has introduced more plant-based options in school meal menus, actually winning a national award, and also increasing plant-based choices in our external catering.”
