Meat Free Monday

Note: This campaign ran as a trial in January 2019, with the results of the survey and overall decision not to continue the campaign detailed in the DPFS blog.

The Facts

What: Every Monday venues across campus will be switching their meat (excluding fish) dishes for vegetarian alternatives. [Sandwiches not included]

Why: To encourage you to eat meat one less day a week, by making your Monday meals vegetarian, in order to reduce our human impact on the globe

Where: South Kensington Campus (Pieminister, Senior Common Room [SCR], 568, hbar, Library Café, College Café, SAF Café, Queens Tower Rooms [QTR], Fuel), Charing Cross Campus (Reynolds), Silwood Campus, and Hammersmith Campus (Wolfson Restuarant)

When: Every Monday in January 2019

We also have a full list of events going on in January and recipes for you to try at home to help support your participation in this campaign, as well as a feedback survey where you can voice your opinions!

Background

With global meat consumption on the rise, there is more and more research into the impact this will have on our world. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization states that livestock are responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gases produced. However, during the Climate Summit 2014 it was highlighted that ‘reducing methane emissions would create tangible benefits almost immediately’. One simple fix to this: spend one day fewer a week eating meat. Not only would this reduce methane emissions from animals, but cut down on CO2 and nitrous oxide gas production too.

Reducing our weekly meat consumption has many benefits, including health improvements and financial ease. But taking a step back to look at the wide picture, working together to reduce the world meat consumption also has environmental, social, and animal welfare impacts.

Knowing this, various students and clubs came together with College and the Union staff to create the Meat Free Monday Campaign! This campaign combines initatives from Greening Imperial, Environmental Society (ESoc), VegSoc, and Animal Protection & Education Society (APES), as well as input from multiple PhD and Masters student groups.

What's going on around campuses?

As well as outlets replacing their meat options with fish and vegetarian options on mondays, get prepared for a month of events, activities and pop up stalls. Catch students and staff at lunch times on stalls explaining the campaign, showing you why it’s worth taking part, and giving tips on how to continue Meat Free Mondays at home. Or, join them in the evenings for joint events with our student clubs and societies.

Events

Where there are Facebook/Eventbrite events, please RSVP by clicking going, so the hosts know how many people to prepare for!
Date Time Event Location Campus Event Link
Mon 7th Jan 12-2pm Pop-Up Stall SCR & JCR South Ken  
Thur 10th Jan 12-1.30pm  Lunch with VegSoc - Whether vegetarian or vegan, fancy the challenge of veganuary, or are just curious to find out more about the lifestyle, come along to chat with current VegSoc members and find out more about what the society get up to! SAF South Ken  
Fri 11th Jan 12-2pm Pop-Up Stall SCR & JCR South Ken  
12-1pm Pop-Up Stall Reynolds Building Charing Cross Hospital  
Mon 14th Jan 1pm Gardening Session with ESoc - spend a lunchtime in Imperial's Secret Garden with ESoc, learning from the Head Gardener on how to care for plants Meet Outside Weeks Hall (next to Ethos) South Ken
12-2pm Pop-Up Stall Wolfson Restaurant Hammersmith Hospital  
12-2pm Pop-Up Stall SCR & JCR South Ken  
Tue 15th Jan 6.30pm Film screening of 'Vegan 2018' followed by Q&A with the film director - enjoy free pizza and snacks while watching a free screening of 'Vegan 2018'. Whether you're already vegan, trying it out as part of Veganuary or are simply interested in watching an empowering film, join ESoc, VegSoc and APES for this film, followed by a Q&A by the director of the movie himself, Klaus Mitchell, founder of plant-based news! EEE 408 South Ken
Thur 17th Jan 12-1.30pm  Lunch with VegSoc - Whether vegetarian or vegan, fancy the challenge of veganuary, or are just curious to find out more about the lifestyle, come along to chat with current VegSoc members and find out more about what the society get up to! SAF South Ken  
6.30pm "Meat from cells not animals" - a talk on clean meat and the career opportunities in the field, given by Seren Kell, co-founder of CellAg UK LT 164, Skempton Building South Ken
Fri 18th Jan 12-2pm Pop-Up Stall Library Entrance & SCR South Ken  
Mon 21st Jan  12-2pm Pop-Up Stall SCR & JCR South Ken  
Wed 23rd Jan 5-6.45pm Film screening of ‘Carnage' "It's 2067, the UK is vegan, but older generations are suffering the guilt of their carnivorous past". Join us for a screening of Simon Amstell's mocumentary film 'Carnage' which will be followed by a short discussion with representatives from ICU Veg Soc, Plant Based Imperial and the Greening Imperial SSCP DTP Challenge team. Grantham Boardroom, Gratham Institute South Ken
Thur 24th Jan  12- 1.30pm Lunch with VegSoc - Whether vegetarian or vegan, fancy the challenge of veganuary, or are just curious to find out more about the lifestyle, come along to chat with current VegSoc members and find out more about what the society get up to! SAF South Ken  
Sat 26th Jan 8.20 am FRIEND Farm Animal Sanctuary Visit - Come and join VegSoc for a day out working at an animal sanctuary! Volunteering jobs will include cleaning out the chicken houses, taking more straw round to the pigs, or sweeping up the concrete areas around the cows and pigs. Only 15 places available so sign up quick! Meet at London Bridge Station Off-Site
Mon 28th Jan 12-2pm Pop-Up Stall SCR & JCR South Ken  
6-7.45pm "Healthy Vegan" - a joint ICL and UCL event, where two qualified experts will discuss health and veganism, while also answering any of your questions about veganism LG11, Bentham House UCL
Thur 31st Jan 12-1.30pm Lunch with VegSoc - Whether vegetarian or vegan, fancy the challenge of veganuary, or are just curious to find out more about the lifestyle, come along to chat with current VegSoc members and find out more about what the society get up to! SAF South Ken  

Helpful Links

Global campaign - Meat Free Monday

BBC article - 'Climate Change Food Calculator: What's your diet's carbon footprint?'

Guardian article - 'Why Eating Less Meat Is The Best Thing You Can Do For The Planet In 2019'

Have Opinions or Feedback? Fill in our survey!

Want Meat Free Monday to continue for the rest of the year? Completely disagree? Think fish should also be removed from Monday menus? Tell us what you think!