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How do we get bean burgers on the menu?
There are opportunities to accelerate the shift from animal protein consumption to plant-based proteins in the procurement policies of public organisations, such as governments, schools, universities, hospitals and prisons. This is the conclusion of research performed by Wageningen University & Research. A multidisciplinary group of researchers has formulated action points to facilitate the protein transition in a wide range of public organisations.
Recommendations for hospitals, universities, schools, prisons and governments
'Create support and motivation by enticing guests and giving them positive experiences with plant-based eating' and 'provide stimulating financial incentives to accelerate the protein transition in public organisations'. These are some key recommendations that could encourage public organisations to incorporate fewer animal-based proteins and more plant-based proteins into their procurement policies.
The shift to plant-based food is slow
That the protein transition - the shift in our consumption from animal to more plant-based proteins - is important for promoting human and planetary health has been known for some time. But this development is slow. The latest figures from the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey show only a slight shift. While we still got 61 per cent of our proteins from animal food products and 39 per cent from plant-based food products in the period 2012-2016, this has shifted to 42 per cent plant-based in the period 2012-2016.
These figures show that we still have some steps to take to shift towards the 50%-50% balance, which the government aims for in 2030. Others recommend an even more far-reaching shift to 40 per cent animal and 60 per cent plant-based.
Public settings can set the standard
The good news is that food procurement is increasingly viewed by public organisations as an agenda-setting and important route to accelerate demand for sustainable products. Indeed, significant amounts of food are eaten in public organisations and the offerings here can inspire people and set a standard for more people to eat plant-based food.
Interview study
To identify the opportunities and barriers that need to be overcome to get people to eat more plant-based food, Sanne Djojosoeparto and Dr Muriel Verain (Wageningen University & Research) conducted an interview study among various experts and stakeholders in the Netherlands in 2022. They did so with a multidisciplinary team of researchers at WUR consisting of Dr Jeroen Candel, Dr Hanna Schebesta, Dr Maartje Poelman and Dr Sander Biesbroek. The findings of the interview study were presented and discussed at the Symposium 'Accelerating the protein transition in procurement policies of public organisations' held in Wageningen on 1 December 2022.
Motivation and investing in opportunities
There are many opportunities in the public domain. First of all, however, it is necessary to create awareness in public organisations about the importance of the protein transition. Support at different levels of the organisation is important because sufficient motivation must be raised before steps are taken.
In addition, the organisation must be willing to invest in the protein transition, especially in the initial phase, to cope with financial risks with caterers, for instance. It also helps to include protein transition in the organisation's policy and contract requirements, by setting specific targets and monitoring them later on.
Finally, there are opportunities in putting together a varied, healthy and sustainable food offer that suits the wishes and needs of the target group. These include 'quick wins' such as using oat milk in coffee, but also a good mix of plant-based analogues (which imitate meat or dairy), hybrid products (partly meat, partly plant-based) and traditional protein-rich products such as legumes and nuts. In all this, it is important to take into account the wider food environment.
Recommendations for policymakers
In addition to these insights, the study has also formulated a number of recommendations for policymakers in governments to facilitate the introduction of the protein transition in public organisations. The protein transition should also receive attention in government policy, for instance by including it in a vision regarding the future of the food system. The government can also provide promotional (financial) incentives such as true pricing, subsidies or schemes. Finally, the government can set an example by taking steps towards a more plant-based supply in its own procurement policy, and support and guide public organisations by making model contracts available, for instance.