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So, you want to campaign for vegan cafeteria food?
So, you want to campaign for vegan cafeteria food?
A General Campaign Guide:
A General Campaign Guide:
1. Make A Plan.
1. Make A Plan.
Find a support system/mentor. Congrats, you've already done this step! We are here to mentor you and connect you with other supporters to make your campaign successful.
Determine your goal. Start with something simple and specific. Ex: Meatless Monday's, a daily vegan option, create salad bar, commitment to X% vegan by Y year.
Connect with peers at your school! (Through classes or clubs with related missions.)
2. Petition
2. Petition
You need to demonstrate student support. Nutrition services cares about the students who actually get school food -- so make sure that you show that the majority of those students want plant-based food.
Create a petition on change.org or forms.google.com
Resources for Petitioning
Resources for Petitioning
Petitioning is most effective when used as a tool as part of a larger campaign. Petitions need to be specific and targeted. Clearly indicate who is doing the asking, and to whom. For example: rather than petitioning your school district's food services department for more plant-based meals, try petitioning them for vegan options every day, or vegan options three days a week, or vegetarian options every day, or Meatless Mondays. That way they know exactly what you're asking them, and you can tangibly measure weather or not they make they change you ask for.
Petitions give you power in an argument because they show how many people support your stance. They shouldn't just float around on the internet, you need to bring them to the attention of the people you're petitioning. And petitions are most effective when coupled with other advocacy. For example: rather than randomly bringing to your school board a petition to serve vegan options every day, propose a policy for your school board to vote on, and bring the petition to a public comment period.
The petition can be more impactful if you can ensure that everyone who signs it is an effected person. A food services director probably doesn't care if 2,000 people on the internet sign your petition, but if 200 students from your school sign it, that packs a much bigger punch.
Start a petition: change.org or forms.google.com
In your petition:
Make the title a call to action
Write a clear & succinct description explaining WHAT the petition will achieve and WHO will benefit
Post it everywhere, and approach people in person to sign it
Example petitions:
https://www.change.org/p/congress-help-get-the-healthy-future-students-and-earth-act-passed
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3-XHvGPxl2f8BJpYV2mOTb0zPMghfC6IO5zPqeNTDRl9Sog/viewform (From a different cause, but still a well written petition)
3. Contact Decision Makers
3. Contact Decision Makers
Remember: Although speaking to school administrators may be intimidating, it is their job to serve the school, its students and its community. Most students don't ever speak up, so often times administrators are quite excited to hear what students have to say.
Finding the right contact can be tricky - if your goal is to get vegan cafeteria options, start by emailing Nutrition Services (or just go in person).
TIPS for contacting decision makers
TIPS for contacting decision makers
Be friendly: Understand that their jobs are hard and they juggle many moving parts. Usually administrators really do want to help students, but they often feel that they have so much on their plate that they can't address every issue that arises.
Explain the problem: Students want and need plant-based foods for A, B, and C reasons, but plant-based foods are hard to come by in the cafeteria which affects students and the broader world in X, Y, and Z ways. It's always helpful to make it personal. Share stories and anecdotes about how the lack of plant-based food at school has effected you and your friends.
Propose a solution: If you propose a specific plan (Ex. provide hot vegetarian or vegan options every day, or start Meatless Mondays) this gives Nutrition Services a goal to work towards. Come prepared when pitching the solution, and be their resource guide for when they encounter barriers. You can help them by providing recipes, connecting with vendors, and offering feedback to keep the momentum going.
Be willing to do the work: Again, administrators have a lot on their plates. Usually they won't be willing to take on any more. In order to maximize your chances of making change, you need to create a comprehensive plan that you can bring to school administrators so that all they need to do is give it the thumbs up.
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