National Trust explains plan to make café food 50% vegan

The National Trust is considering a proposal to make 50% of the food in its cafés vegan, reflecting a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 and reducing the environmental impact of its operations.

The Trust’s 2.6 million members can vote on the resolution online by 25 October or in person at its annual meeting on 2 November in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Some livestock farmers, including National Trust tenants, have expressed concerns to Farmers Weekly about the proposal, fearing it could lead to reduced support for livestock farming on Trust land.

See also: The rural fightback against ‘vegan-only’ councils

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said food choices should not be imposed on customers and that a balanced diet, including meat and dairy, offers nutritional, environmental, and biodiversity benefits.

But the National Trust responded by affirming its commitment to working with farmers to promote sustainable practices and maintain a balance between nature conservation and food production.

A National Trust spokesperson said: “Many of the landscapes in our care especially in upland areas have historically been shaped by farming, and many of these farm tenants will continue to raise livestock for food as well as playing an important role in looking after those places. 

“We believe that working alongside farmers to encourage the adoption of nature and climate friendly methods will help the Trust and tenants’ farm businesses to adapt and become much more resilient, both in terms of environmental footprint and business sustainability. The choice is not nature or food, we need both.” 

The proposal was not initiated by the National Trust itself but was proposed by a group of its members.

Under the Trust’s governance, if a resolution proposed by a member is supported by at least 50 members, it must be put to a vote.

Currently, about 40% of the National Trust’s catering is plant-based, but this could increase to 50% within two years if the resolution passes. Dairy, eggs, and meat options will still be offered.

UK sourced ‘whenever possible’

The National Trust says it currently sources UK produce whenever possible, but certain items, like tea and coffee, must be imported due to climate requirements.

A Trust spokesperson said: “Where possible we use fresh produce from our tenant farmers, however with more than 300 food and beverage outlets at National Trust places, serving millions of customers each year, we must operate a largely national supply model.

“We use seasonal produce, including that grown in our own kitchen gardens, as much as we can.”