PETA Gives IC an A+ for Vegan Options

By Maddie Veneziano ’20, November 1, 2018
New and continuing dining initiatives focus on plant-based menu items.

For the third year in a row, Ithaca College received an A+ on Peta2’s Vegan Report Card. According to the youth animal rights organization, some requirements for obtaining a high grade include offering non-dairy milk, labeling vegan foods and desserts, and offering at least one vegan option at every meal.

Jeff Scott, director of IC Dining Services, said the college is focused on expanding and contemporizing its vegan options. For example, the plant-based Impossible Burger will soon be available as part of Dining Services’ Mindful Monday campaign, which aims to promote healthy, environmentally sustainable menu items. As part of the Menus of Change initiative, the college is committed to increasing plant-based menu items and reducing animal protein menu items by 10 percent.

“When you scale that over a million meals served over the course of a year in our dining halls, that can have a pretty big impact,” Scott said. “It’s good for people’s health and it’s good for the environment.”

Additional initiatives will be introduced throughout the year.

In February 2018, The Humane Society of the United States recognized IC Dining Services for “outstanding plant-based options on campus.”

Continuing Improvements

In addition to expanding plant-based options, Dining Services recently held a roundtable discussion about food allergies. Scott said about a dozen students voiced questions, concerns and suggestions regarding their dining experiences. During the meeting, the group decided to appoint a student as the new chairperson of the Food Allergy Advocates Club. The club will act as a resource for students and as a committee that can communicate with Dining Services.

Dining Services also expanded the GET Food app to more locations on campus in order to reduce wait times for meals. Students, faculty and staff can use the app to pre-order and pre-pay for their food. Currently, the GET Food app can be used at Neapolitan, Freshens, Circles Market and the School of Business cafe.