Food

Veganism in the Work Place – Should it be Catered for?

Published

10 months ago

June 17, 2023

Adam T

When a 2020 employment tribunal confirmed that ethical veganism is protected under the Equality Act (2010), it was a turning point for the treatment of vegans in the workplace. As a protected belief, there has now been a flurry of advice issued that employers can use to help create a vegan-friendly workplace, reducing the discrimination that vegans face at work.

With this in mind, it’s clear that employers now need to carefully consider how they can best cater for vegans so that the workplace is more equitable and accessible for all. We’ve shared some great ideas to help you start making the changes that are needed.

Create Dedicated Plant Based Spaces

There are a number of quick fixes that help to show your changes in a positive light. The first thing that you could introduce is vegan only spaces in fridges and shelves where all the products are plant based and use no animal derivatives.

The great thing about doing this is not only showing respect to vegans but also helping everyone to see where the plant based and non-plant items are for them to eat. If you stock your work kitchen for your team, this will give everyone the opportunity to try new things and show their support to vegans who may have previously struggled to use the kitchen space.

Colour Code Utensils and Other Kitchen Items

Once you’ve introduced vegan food spaces, it is also important to think about labelling cutlery and utensils too, so that there is no accidental cross contamination. Many people say that doing this is taking things too far but when you consider that most restaurants have dedicated vengeance and vegetarian utensils for cooking, it’s clear that there is a need to follow suit.

You don’t need to go crazy and install a second kitchen, but making sure that everyone can access what they need without worrying will make your workplace a happier place to be.

Ensure Vegan-Friendly Food Preparation

If you buy food for the office and have a go-to caterer that everyone uses then it is important to check that they offer quality vegan options and that their vegan food items are made separately from non-vegan meals.

There has been a huge surge in people deciding to follow a plant-based diet for some or all of their meals and this has led to greater pressure being put on food providers to offer great vegan solutions. This means that finding a supplier that can meet the needs of everyone in your team is now easier than ever before!

Update Your Tea & Coffee Stations

If you have a tea and coffee station for your team to visit when they need a drink then have you taken the time to think about offering vegan options too? Coffee and tea are great choices but adding in vegan milk such as almond, soya or oat milk will ensure that everyone can enjoy their hot drinks the way they like them!

It’s also good to think about snacks that are vegan as well, from sweets and savoury items there are lots of great products that will ensure that everyone’s needs are met.

Consider Workwear and Issued Items

Plenty of workplaces have moved towards a more vegan-inclusive mindset but one area that may not have crossed your mind is workwear items and accessories. Clothes that are made from wool or safety boots and accessories that are made from leather all pose a serious problem for vegans in your workplace.

This doesn’t need to be an issue as there are so many great alternatives to choose from, ensuring that your team can wear their uniform with pride. It’s also important to remember that everyone’s needs are different and rather than creating a blanket policy that doesn’t think about the individual, it is better to speak to people and find out what works best for them, allowing you to really think about the needs of vegans in the workplace.

Don’t Forget Financial Needs

Changing food and workwear is a really clear indication that you are supportive of ethical veganism in your business, but there are other areas that will need further consideration too. If you offer a pension option to your employees then it could be time to think about whether the companies you are using are vegan friendly.

This means not taking contributions and investing them in companies that test on animals or produce animal-derived goods. There is a lot of work to be done in this area, but starting to discuss the changes that need to happen and mapping out a plan will help to show the vegans that work for you that you take their beliefs seriously.

Offer Training and Awareness Building

Implementing any type of change can cause unrest and stress in the workplace, something that everyone wants to avoid. Rather than just foisting change on your team, take the time to increase awareness of the changes that are coming and think about putting some training on for staff so that they are all aware of the changes and the reasoning behind them.

It’s also a good opportunity to explain the legal framework and provide staff with a clear system for redress should they encounter any negative or unfair treatment as a vegan – doing this will ensure that everyone is fully aware of the role they have to play in the changes that you are implementing.

Create a Vegan-Positive Environment

All these changes are great in theory but if you and your team implement them under duress then it could create a damaging and negative workplace environment. Rather than seeing changes as something that is being forced on you, take it as an opportunity to show your respect and support for vegans in the workplace.

This could be sharing positive messages about the changes, working with the entire team to get ideas on how to move forward together and creating normalcy around vegan choices, allowing vegans and non-vegans to enjoy the company’s new outlook.

Food

Sipping Your Way Through Napa Valley

If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying a perfect weekend in Napa Valley, you’re missing out.

Published

6 days ago

April 18, 2024

Owen Gardocki

STAY AT A B&B OR DON’T STAY AT ALL

A charming Bed & Breakfast will only amplify the quaintness of the whole experience. There are plenty of reasonably priced options available in the area. If you can sneak out on a Friday, it always makes for a better weekend if you can wake up at your B&B on Saturday morning.

ACTIVITIES GALORE!

It’s hard to believe and potentially unnecessary, but there are plenty of great activities in Napa Valley that don’t involve wine tasting.

Oxbow Public Market: This lively market is perfectly nestled right against the Napa River. It’s full of plenty of vendors selling all sorts of fresh produce and also contains numerous restaurants. So this is a great place to grab a quick lunch.

The Silverado Trail: This beautiful trail just about runs the entire length of Napa Valley. It has amazing views and can be a perfect place to clear your head and get your calm on. And if you’re more of the active type, it’s great for biking!

Greenhaus Day Spa: What’s a weekend getaway without a trip to the spa? Greenhaus Day Spa in downtown Napa is widely considered the best spa in the area. Get the full treatment with a relaxing massage, a cleansing facial, and the all-important mani-pedi combo.

WINERIES ON WINERIES

If we’re talking about Napa Valley, we’re talking about wine. There are plenty of amazing wineries and vineyards in Napa, but here are our personal favorites.

O’Brien Estate: This is one of the most popular wineries in all of Napa and actually requires booking your tasting in advance. Make sure you try the Chardonnay and the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pride Mountain Vineyards: This vineyard requires a bit of a drive, but it’s worth it. The whole property covers about 235 acres and has gorgeous views in every direction. When it comes to wine, their claims to fame are their Cabernet Sauvignon and their Merlot.

V. Sattui Winery: While the wine here is truly excellent, this spot is also great for a picnic lunch. You can grab everything you need in-house: the cheeses, the fresh bread, the antipasto spreads, and a nice bottle of wine and then grab one of the many picnic tables outside and take it all in.

Food

Is A 24-Hour Vacation… Possible?

Five locations where a 24-hour vacation is completely possible.

Published

7 days ago

April 17, 2024

Owen Gardocki

Have a long layover? Maybe a day to kill during a longer trip? Or just like to get out of town? If any of those apply, these five cities are the best places in the world to spend a 24-hour vacation!

ISTANBUL

Istanbul is the ideal one-day vacation destination for the historian, as it lies right on the Bosphorus river, the geographical division point of Asia and Europe. The architecture in Istanbul is truly breathtaking as some of it has been there since the Roman and Ottoman Empires. Can’t-miss attractions include the Topkapi Palace, the former home of the Ottoman sultan, the Hagia Sophia, a sixth-century mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, which is the oldest covered market in the world. And if you have any extra time and feel like relaxing a bit, enjoy one of the city’s numerous Turkish baths, or historichammams.

AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it owes a lot of its beauty to its architecture. You could spend an entire day there just walking in and taking in the buildings and you wouldn’t feel like you’ve wasted your day. If you don’t feel like walking, there are also daily boat tours that travel along the many canals that run through the city. Not to mention the countless museums in Amsterdam all with amazing works of art. And of course, no Amsterdam vacation would be complete without a trip to the Anne Frank house.

SEATTLE

The jewel of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle may seem like a big city, but what makes it attractive for a short trip is the fact that many of its best attractions are all very close to each other. Even with only 24 hours, you’ll have enough time to take in the Museum of Pop Culture, the Space Needle, and the world-famous Pike Place Market. Try to throw one of those fish if they’ll let you. It’s harder than you think!

HONG KONG

Hong Kong is one of the biggest and fastest-moving metropolitan cities in the world. The sights and views and endless and bountiful in this lively city. Be sure to check out the giant Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island, and of course the Hong Kong Museum of History. If you’re a tea nut, rumor has it that the MingCha Tea House has some of the best tea in the city. And the best part about Hong Kong? Unlike the rest of China, anyone visiting from North America or Europe don’t have to get a visa in advance.

REYKJAVIK

Reykjavik is the capital of one of the most scenically beautiful countries in the world, Iceland. It is the home of the famous Blue Lagoon, the geothermal spa that you’ve probably seen on your Instagram feed more than once. There you can also find the architectural feat, Hallgrimskirkya. Which is just an enormous, beautiful church. And, if you’re feeling saucy, take a tour of the Phallological Musem, which is a museum entirely dedicated to, well, phalluses.

Food

Making The Stop At Roadside Attractions

Taking the time to stop and enjoy the roadside attractions.

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

Owen Gardocki

Road trips aren’t just about point A & point B; it’s about the journey. The highways of America are filled with unique roadside attractions that divert your attention when traveling to your roadside attraction. Instead of driving past these attractions, let’s examine the best.

CABAZON DINOSAURS

You may recognize these roadside dinosaurs from the movie “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.” These two giant concrete dinosaurs named Dinny the Dinosaur and Mr. Rex are located in Cabazon, CA. You can find these behemoths just West of Palm Springs, California on the 10 freeway. Dinny and Apatosaurus measure 150 feet and Mr. Rex a Tyrannosaurus Rex is 65 feet. You can even make your way inside the T-Rex’s head!

Sadly, the original owners sold the roadside attraction in the mid-90s and the new owners put a Creationist museum on the property.

CARHENGE

Head to Alliance, Nebraska next time you are driving through the heartland of America and stop by Carhenge. It’s the full-scale replica of Stonehenge in England… but made with junker cars. Artist Jim Reinders studied the original sculpture while living in England and came home to make the statue as a memorial to his recently deceased father. Made with 39 cars, which were upended and dug into the ground.

PENNDOT ROAD SIGN SCULPTURE GARDEN

A small art school in Pennsylvania came up with the brilliant idea to repurpose old street signs and turn them into a wonderful piece of roadside art. Allegheny College sponsored the attraction and students created all the art. The art spans a quarter-mile stretch of Smock Highway just southwest of Meadville, PA. If you are traveling through Pennsylvania this summer, stop by.

CADILLAC RANCH

If you are driving through Texas, chances are you are cruising Interstate 40, which drives through Amarillo. This is where you’ll find Cadillac Ranch, a huge art installation made by three hippies from San Francisco, CA. They took a bunch of old Cadillacs and buried them hood first into the ground, then covered them with graffiti.

PORTER SCULPTURE PARK

When driving through the barren wasteland of South Dakota on Interstate 90, around 25-miles West of Sioux Falls, you’ll stumble upon the Porter Sculpture Park. Imagine huge metal sculptures in a wide-open field and the only backdrop is Mt. Rushmore off in the distance. You’ll find over 50 huge sculptures on the 10-acre park. The biggest piece of art is easily the giant bull’s head, which measures 60-feet-tall, which just happens to be the same size as the face on Mount Rushmore.