Results 1 to 36 of 36

Thread: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Greater London
    Posts
    385

    Default How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    As per thread title really. I'm in two minds about this. On the one hand I feel compelled to say my piece and remind the parties concerned that vegans do exist and are consumers like everyone else. On the other hand I think sod 'em, I'll just continue to ensure I always have a packed lunch with me and not give them my money, but it would be nice to have the choice.

    What prompts this is that on Saturday I was part of a large family birthday outing to the Guildford Leisure Centre. Youngest son was twenty one and he wanted to do the whole Ice Skating, Swimming and Bowling thing. As I always do I took a packed lunch, 'cos I knew there would be nowt for me amongt the various junk food outlets. I wasn't wrong, I was unable to find one thing to eat. What did get up my nose though was the large sign stating that only food purchased at one of the retail outlets could be consumed there. Naturally I ignored this and proceeded to munch away, willing someone to have a go.

    I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience of complaining about lack of provision for vegans and the best approach to take. I'm guessing that they don't care anyway as there are more than enough corpse chompers to keep them in business.

    I did fire off an email, basically sayng that as this was a leisure centre, with presumably, an interest in promoting a healthy lifestyle I found the choice of coronary inducing burger bars et al rather puzzling. I also pointed out that offering menu items which do not contain meat and/or dairy would not cause the sky to collapse and civilisation to come to an immediate end. Gits.
    From Sutton, Surrey, (or Greater London when they want to fleece me for the Olympics)

  2. #2
    VeganMonkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    London baby!
    Posts
    182

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I'm not really sure what advice to give on this but I found your post very funny! (sorry to laugh at your lack of a decent lunch). I went to the Docklands Museum with my parents on Saturday and had chips and an apple for lunch. I wasn't too bothered though as I knew I was having a lovely vegan meal later. Living in London it's mostly easy to avoid places where there's nothing to eat but if you can't avoid it, it is annoying isn't it? I suppose the Vegan Society's 'Catering for All' is a good resource to point people to and in general, independent places probably appreciate the advice but where all the choices are fast food giants, I don't think there's much hope of us making an impact. Cynical hat on today. It's good you wrote to them though - if anything, at least they'll realise vegans can have a sense of humour!

  3. #3
    V for Veganica Sarabi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Washington, D.C.
    Posts
    543

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Haha. I was in a program the other week, and we were scheduled to go to a famous little restaurant that I'd never been to called Ben's Chili Bowl. When I found that chili and meat were to entire point of the place, I called them up and found out that they hadn't a clue what "vegan" was. So I told my trip leader I didn't want to go, and he ended up stopping to get me some Chinese food which I ate there. Everyone else ate disgusting wieners with globs of chili and cheese. They were like, "I could eat here every day!" And I'm like, "You'll be dead before long..."

    Anyway... whenever I contact restaurants or caterers about adding vegan options or whether such-and-such food is vegan, they usually never bother replying. I think restaurants tend to not like taking e-mails or phone calls anyway unless they do take-out.
    "To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana." - Buddha

  4. #4
    baffled harpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    6,655

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I have done once or twice. I think I tried to point out the commercial advantages of vegan food, including the fact that the raw ingredients can be relatively cheap and that other people, not just vegans, will eat it. Also any other advantages relevant to their "brand", e.g. if they have a "green" image then it fits in with that. The health tack was a good one for you to take. Sending them the Vegan Society catering booket/PDF seems a good idea in case they don't know what you're talking about.

    Can't think of any instances where my letters have had a noticeable effect, but constant dripping and all that. Anyway I think my letters have been to chains whereas one to an individual leisure centre might have more impact (because you might actually reach someone who could make a decision). I suppose you could try copying your MP and/or the local paper, especially if they're unresponsive and you have to write a second time.

  5. #5
    chord monkey derwenna's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Sheffield, UK
    Posts
    87

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I think it's worth emailing places anyway, even if your individual email doesn't have an immediate effect maybe they'll get a few more people say the same thing in the future and that might make them think a bit. I think it's worth showing that there is demand and also pointing out it's not just vegans who would eat vegan food, emphasise the healthy eating aspect too. Maybe suggesting ideas of dishes that could fit in with their menu might help?
    http://www.cookingforvegans.co.uk/
    http://twitter.com/cooking4vegans

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Please get yourself the ANIMAL ACTIVIST group. Recently published.
    PACKED with great ideas on how to make an impact and change things.
    There's a whole chapter on letter writing and how to tackle restaurants etc.

    I HIGHLY recommend it.
    I just finished reading it and am on my way to start doing everything I can
    that's written there.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Sorry, the full name is:

    STRIKING AT THE ROOTS
    A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ANIMAL ACTIVISM

  8. #8
    journey
    Guest

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    More and more I find that I write a note to places that were disappointing for dining. I don't always speak up when I should, but for some of us, thoughtfully putting our thoughts in writing comes across better anyway.

    Even if doesn't make an immediate difference, hopefully it starts to make them aware and eventually if enough people do so, things can change - maybe not enough to end animal agriculture in my lifetime, but ....Back in the 1970s it was nearly impossible to get even a meat free meal at a restaurant - overall, in society in general, it's not nearly as difficult now as it was then (even though we've got a long way to go) - the power of making people aware today can only making being vegan a little easier for all of us down the road. (and of course, translating into a few less animals killed, which is really the important point).

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Greater London
    Posts
    385

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Oh well, over a week has gone by but still no reply (searches for 'knock me down with a feather' icon).
    From Sutton, Surrey, (or Greater London when they want to fleece me for the Olympics)

  10. #10
    Zero
    Guest

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    In addition to speaking to them about the matter and your experiences I would point them toward the: Vegan Society Catering Guide

    Not only does it give recipe examples and explains clearly what vegans eat but it also give a list of suppliers and shows that a professional organisation exists promoting veganism.

    You can request hard copies from the vegan society if you contact them

  11. #11
    Rentaghost Marrers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK Croydon/Brighton
    Posts
    2,857

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I usually contact places like that beforehand (I visit if I can, it has more impact). If you are part of a large group they are more likely to make the effort as they'll worry if they can't cater for you the whole party will go elsewhere. I don't suppose that makes much difference to the normal menu options they offer though.
    Idleness is not doing nothing. Idleness is being free to do anything. - Floyd Dell

  12. #12
    Zero
    Guest

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I agree, it's always best to contact these places well in advance too

  13. #13
    my army bradders's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Putney, London
    Posts
    1,475

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    where I can I contact in advance eg my brother's family wedding dinner was at a carvery. I rang them up and they were fine with me bringing sandwiches and as things turned out there were many yummy veggies and gravy that were vegan so it was OK.
    but often I'm in places where it's more difficult but speaking to them about it in a friendly way it's usually easy enough to get something put together that's vegan or they will let be pop out for something nearby and eat it there. A pub I frequent that does great food some of it vegan in the evenings but only non-vegan baguettes during the day they let me go a few doors down for a vegan sandwich and eat it in there. The same thing goes in other places. At London bridge my train usually goes from platform 1 which has a Ritazza coffee shop, they ran out of soya milk but they let me get a tea from another place but still drink it in their shop being on warm and on my platform.

    I'm often surprised by just how helpful they can be just being friendly when speaking to them about it at the time.
    If I sink to the bottom I can run to the shore.

  14. #14
    Rentaghost Marrers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK Croydon/Brighton
    Posts
    2,857

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    If places don't do vegan wine I often get agreement to bring my own! I offer to pay a corkage charge (though often they decline to charge it but it shows that I'm not being a cheapskate and trying to do them out of their profit!)
    Idleness is not doing nothing. Idleness is being free to do anything. - Floyd Dell

  15. #15
    my army bradders's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Putney, London
    Posts
    1,475

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    indeed, that's something I've done before too. Like when bringing drink into pogo you give them a pound donation or in some pubs if just popping in for the loo you pop something in the charity box, that sort of thing.
    If I sink to the bottom I can run to the shore.

  16. #16

    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Greater London
    Posts
    385

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I don't think that in this particular instance contacting the venue beforehand would have really helped. Had we been going out for a meal it would have been a different matter, but on this occasion the 'dining' element was very much a secondary consideration.

    I am the only vegan in my family and my veganism is, at best, grudgingly tolerated through gritted teeth when they are in a charitable mood. Most are lacto-ovo vegetarians, but regard veganism as beyond the pale and my dietary preferences are mostly a source of seething, snarling resentment. I shudder to contemplate the reaction if I insisted on boycotting the event myself or insisted on finding a venue which offered skating/bowling/swimming and a vegan food option. I think I can say with confidence that no such place exists, certainly not within reasonable travelling distance.
    From Sutton, Surrey, (or Greater London when they want to fleece me for the Olympics)

  17. #17
    Zero
    Guest

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I think it is always worth contacting the venue to ask if they can provide vegan options, if we all do this even if they say no. It shows that there is a demand for such animal free products/options out there

  18. #18
    baffled harpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    6,655

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    It's difficult with the sort of place Jiffy's describing though because if I'm understanding correctly it's a sort of food hall type place with multiple outlets and nobody in overall control? I guess you'd have to target one or two of the more likely outlets.

    It seems amazing none of them could manage anything, not even the traditional vegan delicacy of a baked potato with nothing on it and a couple of salad leaves

  19. #19
    Daffodil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    uk
    Posts
    594

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Quote bradders View Post
    where I can I contact in advance eg my brother's family wedding dinner was at a carvery. I rang them up and they were fine with me bringing sandwiches and as things turned out there were many yummy veggies and gravy that were vegan so it was OK..
    I thought this when i went to a carvery with my family, i rang ahead and asked if i could just have the veg and they said yes they'd just charge me childrens rates. at the time i was vegetarian not vegan and when i went up to get my food i asked for a plate and he handed me one with his hands full of meat from where he'd been carving and i had meat juice all over my plate so i had to ask for a clean one. then there was a dead dragonfly in the cauliflower cheese...i pointed this out, expecting him to be mortified and take the whole dish away but instead he just picked it out with his fingers (still covered in meat juice) and threw it on the floor. i think i munched on a few peas that night and left the rest....ugh!!

  20. #20
    my army bradders's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Putney, London
    Posts
    1,475

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    this one was thankfully not too bad for that
    If I sink to the bottom I can run to the shore.

  21. #21
    KcCrash
    Guest

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I was at a function buffet a few months ago, and although I wasn't too concerned about eating there,, when I learned that there were some vegan foods on the buffetI was curious. There were some spicy potato wedges and some toasted bread thingies with spinach and herbs. What made me laugh was, I got a handful of wedges and 2 of the toast things, next few minutes the omnivore bunch had eaten them all!I thought hold on, those are all I have to eat, you have your pick of it all yet choose to take my only bits!

  22. #22
    my army bradders's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Putney, London
    Posts
    1,475

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    sounds about right in experience
    If I sink to the bottom I can run to the shore.

  23. #23

    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Greater London
    Posts
    385

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    That always happens doesn't it? Which makes it even more annoying when caterers play the 'no demand for vegan weirdness' card.
    From Sutton, Surrey, (or Greater London when they want to fleece me for the Olympics)

  24. #24
    my army bradders's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Putney, London
    Posts
    1,475

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    vegan chilli even seems more popular than omni chilli in my experience
    If I sink to the bottom I can run to the shore.

  25. #25
    Zorillo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Birmingham uk
    Posts
    276

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Right, the weather is better, how about getting some nice packed lunch together and getting some vit D? Soaked apricots, homemade houmous with sprouted bread....I like to avoid eating out: more unhealthy food, more expensive (could buy more cds with the money, give to animal welfare charities, etc), less fresh air if inside, too many places' mistakes made with vegan food. I very rarely eat out. I've taken food or bought and eaten from packet. I guess I'd only eat out at vegetarian or vegan places as less likely to get animal products in food because of people misunderstanding, not hearing you properly what you require, not caring or whatever. They are other things to do like gigs, renting films, etc

  26. #26

    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Birmingham, UK
    Posts
    40

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    You are sooo right Zorillo... I do the same, no more hassle.

    I remember once I went to a sandwhich shop owned by Asians and they went the extra mile to provide me with a vegan option, but the sandwhich was sooooo lame...

    The same in College, "oh yes we have ONE vegan option!" (again lame tasteless junk food) only to find out later that the creppe was made with egg and the woman was so thick she didn't even know what a vegan was (she could've asked me!). It is for this reason I decided NOT to eat in "normal" places anymore. Too much unnecesary hassle for them & for me.

  27. #27
    pat sommer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    hanging around California
    Posts
    723

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Wouldn't it be nice if complaining alone got results? But being a parent I have grown used to walking-thru-appropriate-behavior til I get results.

    If there is enough spare time for the project then a good place to begin is with the suppliers/distributors to the outlets. Get a name and go online and see if they do anything you would like to see on the menu like bean burgers. Then a little persuasion is in order...

    "I shouldn't have to..." is absolutely true but, dang, I want vegan to be mainstream.

    keep us updated and good luck.
    the only animal ingredient in my food is cat hair

  28. #28
    DavidT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    County Clare, Ireland
    Posts
    674

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Quote Jiffy View Post
    What did get up my nose though was the large sign stating that only food purchased at one of the retail outlets could be consumed there. Naturally I ignored this and proceeded to munch away, willing someone to have a go.
    That is a very valid point you're making there, Jiffy. I can understand self-contained café and restaurant owners not wanting you to use their facilities to eat your own food but a leisure centre! I must remember that one. Does that mean you can't eat food in a shopping centre (mall) that wasn't bought there?

  29. #29
    Zero
    Guest

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Quote pat sommer View Post
    If there is enough spare time for the project then a good place to begin is with the suppliers/distributors to the outlets. Get a name and go online and see if they do anything you would like to see on the menu like bean burgers. Then a little persuasion is in order...
    I agree, if you just stop going to omni food places then they will assume there is no demand for vegan food and they won't put any on the menu.

    The reason there is a vegetarian option in pretty much every restaurant you go into in the UK and USA (I can't speak for other countries as those are the only two I've lived in) is because of the demand as vegetarianism has been becoming very much more mainstream.

    In my opinion this is one of the biggest reasons we should call places ahead of time that have no vegan options and request they make something for us.

    Not only does it provide a benefit to those of us who are already vegan, but it shows people who are looking into veganism that it is possible and practical in restaurant situations and pushes veganism a little further into mainstream acceptance.

    You may even be able to convince them to put something vegan on the menu

  30. #30
    DavidT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    County Clare, Ireland
    Posts
    674

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Quote KcCrash View Post
    What made me laugh was, I got a handful of wedges and 2 of the toast things, next few minutes the omnivore bunch had eaten them all!I thought hold on, those are all I have to eat, you have your pick of it all yet choose to take my only bits!
    This seems to be the case here in Ireland too - where veganism is extremely rare. All the vegan/vegetarian options disappear in seconds, leaving those sausages that look like burnt thumbs and anaemic chicken thighs.

    I've commented on it several times, so it must be a universal thing.

  31. #31
    DavidT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    County Clare, Ireland
    Posts
    674

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    A task for all vegans out there: make a point of going for a coffee or tea (without milk of course) or a known vegan soft drink in every possible eatery within, say, a mile radius over the course of a year, looking for customer comment cards. You know what to do then.

    It was actually a new year's resolution of mine to do that and...gulp...guess what?

    OK, OK, I'll start tomorrow.

  32. #32

    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Tyneside, UK
    Posts
    1,029

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    The vegan society has a guide "vegan catering for all" which is specifically designed for caterers, it can be posted out to the restaurant or handed to the manager, and it covers the issue and explains how to cater for vegans, how it benefits their business to do so.
    See my local diary ... http://herbwormwood.blogspot.com/

  33. #33
    my army bradders's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Putney, London
    Posts
    1,475

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I make a point of going to places (especially franchises) and asking for tea with soya when I know they don't do soya. Reason? Let them know the business they're losing out on by not stocking a carton of uht soya milk.
    A café ritazza changed to pumpkin at Upminster station which resulted in them not stocking soya (ritazza required them to stock it) so now I still go via that station just so the guy running it knows the demand and is there and he's missing out on £1.40 of trade just from me most days. Even if it was just me a 60p carton of uht will last a week and out of about £7 wouldn't raise the cost much. He could just bring a couple of cartons in that he gets when he does his own shopping but seems he'd rather lose out for the moment.
    At another station this tactic worked (clapham, can't remember the chain though) even though there are many coffee and tea vendors there I made the point of going to that one and asking for it time after time.
    This really helps get more vegan options out there and bring it into the mainstream.
    If I sink to the bottom I can run to the shore.

  34. #34
    Zero
    Guest

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Quote herbwormwood View Post
    The vegan society has a guide "vegan catering for all" which is specifically designed for caterers

    Indeed, you can even give them the link to all the same information on the Website or link them to the actual booklet in PDF

  35. #35
    Manzana Manzana's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Chile
    Posts
    429

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    Quote bradders View Post
    I make a point of going to places (especially franchises) and asking for tea with soya when I know they don't do soya. Reason? Let them know the business they're losing out on by not stocking a carton of uht soya milk.
    I do that all the time... especially when I dont feel like having a coffee so I can just say "oh... Well thanks anyway" and then leave their establishment without purchasing anything...

    I think if we don't ask, we can't really complain...

    I tend to contact them in advance when possible but otherwise I order off the menu when there is nothing vegan for me to eat... I know it is not always possible but I think it pays off to be hard work... normally, you either get something or at least you get to speak to the person in charge and often make them realise that it is not hard to put jacket potato with beans or something similar in their menu (no need to go for some wheatgrass and falafel stravaganza to keep the vegans happy!!)

    Of course, "hard work" does not mean rude just demanding! I expect a full meal and they are a restaurant/cafe/sandwich shop sooo "How hard can it be?!"

    I also write angry letters when that does not work... and keep ringing them annually to see if they are catering for vegans (pretending I would have booked a table otherwise)...

  36. #36

    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Las Vegas NV
    Posts
    128

    Default Re: How to complain to caterers/food outlets about lack of vegan option?

    I email places with the link to Veg Advantage (US organization: http://www.vegadvantage.com/ ) and tell them to contact them to see how easy it would be to add a vegan menu item. I also fill out comment cards up the wazoo but that only wastes paper. I have YET to find a restaurant that's receptive. When all else fails, I stop eating there and be sure to let them know exactly why.

    Also, see the thread on chain restaurants. Lots of good comments there.

Similar Threads

  1. Complain to BBC over defamatory programme
    By gertvegan in forum News
    Replies: 66
    Last Post: Sep 22nd, 2007, 01:08 AM
  2. Lack of sunlight = B12 deficiency?
    By Korn in forum Vegans and B12
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: Apr 12th, 2005, 10:33 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •