With National Vegetarian Week soon approaching (10–17 May), why not offer some fun veggie activities for your residents? Charity Vegetarian for Life (VfL) has plenty of inspiring ideas to help your planning.
This is a super way to make vegetarian or vegan (veg*n) residents feel included and celebrate their lifestyle choice. Perhaps ask them for their ideas to observe the week, or cook their favourite meat-free option for all to enjoy.
Even if you don’t have veg*n residents at present, the celebration can be a fantastic way to introduce new foods. You’ll likely find your residents are happy to try some meat-free options.
Here are VfL’s top tips:
1 – Host a vegetarian supper club, planning and serving a three-course meal. Here’s a suggested menu:
2 – Run a veg*n food tasting session: e.g. vegan ice cream, vegan cheese, plant milks, faux meat products, tofu, or hummus and veggie dips. You could even make score cards and pick a winner at the end.
3 – Experiment with more unusual ingredients, such as banana blossom ‘fish’, or jackfruit curry. You might even use silken tofu to make a mousse, quiche, or scrambled tofu. Play ‘guess the ingredient’ first, and let residents suggest what you might make with it – a great way to start discussions and share experiences. It’s also a good sensory activity because people can see, touch, smell and taste the different foods.
4 – If the weather is good, why not host a vegetarian picnic or BBQ? Here are some recipe ideas:
5 – Whether vegetarian or not, many people have a favourite meal that just happens to be meat-free. Those that do consider themselves veg*n will likely enjoy being able to reminisce and share why they follow this lifestyle. Print photos of common vegetarian products from years gone by or find old vegetarian cookbooks to encourage conversation. Here’s an example of some products that one older vegetarian misses.
Visit VfL’s website for some suggested questions/conversation starters.
6 – Invite a VfL chef to deliver a virtual or in-person cookery demo for your residents. They’ll take the pressure off your chefs and activity co-ordinators, and deliver a themed demo for you. Here’s what recent participants have said:
7 – For a novel activity for residents, VfL runs a ‘virtual vegan lunch club’ on the fourth Tuesday of every month. It’s open to vegetarians, vegans and meat reducers, aged 65+. Each month follows a different theme, and upcoming events include:
Recipes are sent in advance. Buy your ingredients, and cook the dishes on the day ready for the Zoom chat at 1pm. Talk cookery, recipes and more, and meet likeminded people from across the UK.
8 – For residents that are less tech savvy, but keen to connect, VfL runs a veggie pen- and phone-pals scheme. The scheme has linked tens of like-minded people from across the UK, and many lasting friendships have been forged.
One member said: “I love it, I really do. It’s the best thing I’ve done in a long, long time. I speak to a few people from the scheme and I’m delighted with how well it’s going”
9 – Caterers can get ahead of the curve with VfL’s accredited training. Topics include what veg*ns eat; plant-based nutrition and fortification; meal planning; and alternatives to meat and dairy. Each bite-sized module includes easy-to-follow recipe videos and fantastic, tasty recipes. What’s more, it’s British Dietetic Association accredited.
10 – Meat-free 101 training is another great option – a half-day introduction to anyone new to catering for veg*ns, or wanting fresh inspiration. An online version will launch in May.
Visit vegetarianforlife.org.uk for more inspiration and information.
