City council switches to plant-based catering

Supporters of the Plant-Based Councils campaign group have welcomed the move

Nottingham City Council has announced it will only serve plant-based food and drink at internal meetings from the end of September.

The change was confirmed at a full council meeting on Monday in response to a question from a local resident.

The authority says it will include plant-based milks, biscuits and other foods.

It follows lobbying from the Plant-Based Councils campaign group, which called it a "logical and necessary step".

The change will take place from the end of September

The question submitted in advance of the meeting said other local authorities such as Oxfordshire County Council, Cambridge City Council and Exeter City Council had adopted similar policies and urged Nottingham to do the same.

The council's executive member for carbon reduction, leisure and culture, Sam Lux, said financial constraints meant the internal catering budget was "really small" but she was "really happy" to confirm the move after discussing it with council officers.

She added there would also be a week of promotion of dairy alternatives for staff to try plant-based milk in their drinks from the coffee bar at the council's Loxley House headquarters.

Plant-Based Councils welcomed the move.

"It's great to see Nottingham City Council leading by example," a spokesperson said.

It added the group "look forward to continued dialogue with the council to build further on this success".

The policy is due to take effect from 30 September.