About GBD@NYU

Mission

The mission of the Greener by Default Coalition at New York University (abbreviated as GBD@NYU) is to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and compassionate campus by progressing plant-based defaults across New York University. We strive to raise awareness about the benefits of a plant-based diet for the environment, global health, cultural inclusion, and animal welfare, and to foster a culture of conscious and responsible food choices among the university community.

Strategy

The Greener by Default Coalition at NYU will pursue a multifaceted strategy to achieve its mission, including but not limited to:

Advocacy: The coalition members and organizers will actively engage with university administrators, dining services, and other relevant stakeholders to advocate for the adoption of plant-based default menus. This will include presenting evidence-based research, hosting educational and promotional events, and fostering constructive dialogues to build support for our mission.

Collaboration: The coalition is made up of member organizations (including student groups, departments, offices, dining halls, and other campus organizations) who share the collective vision of a more sustainable and compassionate campus. Coalition members and organizers will work together to support joint initiatives, campaigns, and events to raise awareness and promote plant-based food choices around NYU.

Outreach and Member Recruitment: Coalition organizers will organize promotional events, produce relevant resources and media, maintain a social media presence, organize prospective member meetings, and deliver presentations to recruit member organizations to make plant-based default commitments.

Commitment Implementation and Member Retention: Coalition member organizations will receive consultation to ensure the financial, nutritional, educational, and logistical resources to support the implementation of their plant-based default commitments. Member organizations will report on their commitments and organizers will maintain consistent support and communication with member organizations.

Goals

The Greener by Default Coalition will work towards the following goals:

Membership Growth and Support: Coalition organizers will grow membership across the NYU campus and support member organizations in the implementation of plant-based default commitments. Member organizations will endorse the growth of the coalition across campus.

Plant-Based Default Commitments and Implementation: Each member organization within the coalition will commit to serving plant-based food by default to the best of their ability, with the support of coalition organizers. Plant-based food will be the primary and most prominently featured options in all meals served by GBD@NYU member organizations. Individuals attending affiliated events will be able to opt-in to animal products if desired, but plant-based choices will be served by default.

Dining Hall Advocacy: The coalition will work with campus dining services (NYU EATS) to support the service of plant-based meals in dining halls that are delicious, diverse, nutritionally adequate, and culturally inclusive.