Disclaimer: This is a collation of third party sources about topics connected to veganism. Some of the links are not to the original sources; we are sharing them to help journalists or researchers with their research and because they may form a helpful starting point.
Families and children
- In 2022, The Vegan Society published a report called Vegan Food for Children: Parents show support for plant-based provisions. The report showcased new research that found that 69% of UK parents and guardians surveyed support schools increasing the number of nutritionally balanced vegan food options on offer. 46% said they would support schools offering meat alternatives and 42% said they would welcome more cheese alternatives. Source
- In 2021, research by BBC Good Food found that 8% of children in the UK aged 5–16 were following a vegan diet and a further 15% said they would like to. Source
- Since January 2021, vegan pupils have registered over 1,200 schools to receive packs from Vegan-Inclusive Education. Source
- A 2021 study by Vegan-Inclusive Education, which included 252 vegan pupils, found that 54% said they had experienced no vegan school meal option, 72% reported being teased for their ethical beliefs and 85% felt discriminated against because of their beliefs. Source
- A 2021 study by Quorn found that 60% of parents in the UK believe diets will need to change in the future to protect the environment. Source
- In 2021, the BDA’s Maternal & Fertility Nutrition Specialist Group developed a campaign working towards a commitment from market leaders that all staple alternative products sold in the UK are fortified with iodine equivalent to the amounts available in cows’ milk. Source
- YouGov research in 2020 found that the majority (67%) of people surveyed would be supportive of their child going vegan, just 8% would not let them and 25% did not know. 16% said they would allow their children to live vegan aged 10 years or younger, whilst 26% said they would allow this from age 16 or older. Source
- In 2020, a survey of 5,342 parents and guardians across the UK found the third most prevalent parenting trend to be plant-based diets (43%). Plus, the climate crisis was the second most prevalent concern (73%). Source
- In 2020, Leeds City Council announced that 182 schools would serve vegan and ‘meat-free' meals twice a week, in an effort to halve the region's carbon footprint. The scheme follows a survey which found 95% (84 out of 88) of children would “not object” to having one meat-free day a week. Source
- Research from 2019 by Linda McCartney Foods found that 70% of British children want to see more vegan and veggie meals on their school menu. The main motivations include being ‘kinder to animals’ (44%), fear for the environment (31%) and being healthier (29%). Source
- In 2019, a YouGov survey found that 29% of 11–18 year old meat-eaters want to reduce their meat consumption but they are not finding this easy to do. 27% said there aren't enough plant-based options in canteens and 17% believe there is a lot of advertising for fast food with meat in. Source
- In 2019, The Vegan Society launched the Play Fair with Plant Milk campaign, which centres on the inclusion of fortified plant milk in nutritional public health initiatives for children. In February 2021, the Scottish Government agreed to include vegan alternatives on a government-funded nursery and early learning milk scheme. Source
- In 2018, The Vegan Society launched the Catering for Everyone campaign, which helps to get more and better vegan options in schools and universities as well as other institutions. Source
- In 2018, a VoucherCodesPro study of 2,177 parents of children aged 0–12 in the UK found 8% said they are raising their children with vegan diets. Source
