Dr. med. univ. Lukas Gatterer - Austria
Abstract of the presentation
The Power of Public Canteens: Political and Educational Paths for Better Public and Planetary Health
Co-authors: Prof. Dr. Katharina C. Wirnitzer, BEd (1. Department of Secondary Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria, 2. Department of Sport Science, LFUI, Innsbruck, Austria, 3. Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Working Group Prevention, Integrative Medicine and Health Promotion, Otto-Heubner Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 4. Charité Competence Center for Traditional and Integrative Medicine (CCCTIM), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany)
Branch: Other
Vegan and vegetarian diets are becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger generations. Ethical, ecological, and health reasons play a central role in the decision to adopt more sustainable diets. This aligns with the latest guidelines of leading nutrition organizations such as the AND, DGE, and ÖGE. Furthermore, a whole-food, plant-dominant diet is the most effective and cost-efficient measure for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Eating is a social act that brings people together—at home and in public institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, and nursing homes and facilities. The shared dining table plays a key role in promoting public health and well-being. Given the increasing number of vegans and vegetarians, individual preferences must be reflected in public cafeterias as well. Moreover, whole-food vegan and vegetarian diets are adequate for all stages of life, promote health, and lower GHG emissions.
This contribution provides a review of existing data, various legal frameworks, and international guidelines on sustainable diets in the public sector. Key examples include: (i) Portugal, where vegan options have been mandatory in public institutions since 2017; (ii) the American Medical Association and the American College of Cardiology, which recommend plant-based meals in U.S. hospitals; (iii) New York City, with its plant-based default option in schools, hospitals, and other public institutions since 2020; and (iv) the Environmental Sustainability Strategy of the University of Oxford, which promotes plant-based meals in its dining halls.
Offering vegan and vegetarian options in public institutions is key to improving public health, cutting GHG emissions, and increasing acceptance among the general population. Educational initiatives must raise awareness about the connections between diet, health, and climate protection. This process demands action from policymakers. Portugal and New York City demonstrate that the provision of vegan options in public institutions, in accordance with current guidelines, can be implemented through legal frameworks.
Please note that some of the texts also include machine-generated translations.
