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Overview
Overview
Google created a "Descriptive Dish Titles" training program to encourage employees to choose plant-forward options. The problem being addressed is the need to increase employee consumption of plant-forward dishes within Google's food environment, which supports Google’s nutrition priorities and sustainability goals. Our ambition is to empower culinary leaders to create compelling and descriptive dish titles for plant-forward offerings, ultimately leading to a greater uptake and enjoyment of these dishes.
The initial training in 2018 was successful, and a relaunch is planned for 2025 to re-engage staff and promote plant-forward dishes, especially given the loss of institutional knowledge due to team changes following COVID.
Key actors
Key actors
The key actors in this story of progress are Google's culinary / operations teams, Food at Google’s Center of Excellence and Food at Google’s Food Service Vendor Partners.
Alignment with the EAT-Lancet Commission
Alignment with the EAT-Lancet Commission
By increasing the uptake of plant-forward dishes, Google is contributing to a dietary shift that benefits both human health and environmental sustainability, a core tenet of the EAT-Lancet Commission's work. The Commission highlights that current food systems are leading to both over- and under-nutrition and are over-stretching planetary resources.
Google's initiative to increase plant-forward consumption helps to address the "healthy diets" dimension of the Commission's recommendations, which calls for a significant reduction of unhealthy food consumption.
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Navigating the complex intersection of cultural norms, dietary habits, and resource availability on a global scale is crucial for implementing impactful and inclusive nutrition initiatives. A successful Descriptive Dish Titles training rollout recognises the need for standardised goals while embracing flexibility, local norms, and culturally sensitive approaches to achieve lasting, positive change.
Next steps
Next steps
The Food at Google program plans to launch the Descriptive Dish Titles Training in 2025, with plans to scale globally in 2026. We look forward to seeing the scalable impact of this program.
For more information contact: Chavanne Hanson at chavannehanson@google.com
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