Nursery group offers free plant-based meals to staff

The nursery group, which provides childcare for over 3,500 children in the south west of England, has decided to provide vegetarian or vegan snacks and lunches to all staff members during training sessions across all its 30 nurseries. 

All milk provided for teas and coffees will be either oat or rice milk. 

The vegan snacks and meals will be provided during meetings and training sessions, allowing staff to continue to enjoy meals with children during regular operations.

Amy Alderson, operations director of Tops Day Nurseries, said, ‘We can cater for a wide range of varied diets and currently cater for many vegan children.

‘A vegan diet is not compulsory for staff, although it is encouraged. Our colleagues are able to opt out of these meals or snacks and provide their own if they prefer.’

The initiative was introduced at the end of last year in line with the group’s sustainability efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, which have previously included banning glitter, a reusable nappy campaign , and reducing plastic.

Cheryl Hadland, managing director of Tops Day Nurseries, said, ‘Anyone who wants to reduce their impact on the planet needs to reduce or cut their meat and dairy intake and eat a more plant-based diet. Add to this the cruelty factor of killing animals and tearing baby animals away from their mothers and you have the reasons why Tops Day Nurseries and Aspire Training Team buy only plant-based food for staff snacks and food for meetings. 

‘We want the children that we love and educate to have a chance at a healthy future and that means action now, by adults, to protect them from climate change.’

Photos: Tops Day Nurseries