Vegetarian for Life highlights the growing importance of catering to plant-based dietary preferences in care homes.
As the UK celebrates Veganuary 2025, care charity Vegetarian for Life (VfL) calls on care homes across the country to embrace the rising demand for plant-based meals.
Once considered a trend primarily among younger generations, vegan and vegetarian lifestyles are becoming increasingly common among older adults.
Recent VfL research, conducted by Swansea University’s OMNIPLaNT research group, underscores the pressing need for care homes to meet the nutritional and ethical needs of residents following plant-based diets.
The OMNIPLaNT study, supported by VfL, reveals key insights into plant-based dietary trends within the UK’s care sector:
- The number of care homes catering to at least one vegetarian rose from 22.7% in 2014 to 31.8% in 2024. Homes with vegan residents saw a smaller rise, from 2.2% to 2.6%.
- Projections estimate that the proportion of vegetarian care home residents will more than double by 2031, to 13,000 (nearly 4%), while the proportion of vegans is estimated to increase more than three-fold to 2,400 (0.7%).
- The Equality Act 2010 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 emphasise the legal and ethical obligation for care providers to respect residents’ dietary preferences, including those with cognitive decline.
A call to action for the care sector
VfL Chief Executive Amanda Woodvine said:
“Veganuary 2025 is the perfect opportunity for care homes to reassess their approach to dietary inclusivity. The lifestyle choices of older generations deserve respect and accommodation. With proper planning, we can ensure that residents enjoy meals that align with their ethical beliefs and nutritional needs.”
VfL is urging care providers to:
- Adopt best practices: Use tools like VfL’s Good Care for Vegetarians and Vegans self-evaluation guide to ensure comprehensive care planning.
- Provide staff training: Equip staff with essential knowledge of plant-based nutrition, covering key nutrients such as protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
- Collaborate and innovate: Partner with nutritionists and plant-based food suppliers to expand menu options and enhance meal quality.
Case studies: Meet the UK care homes committed to veggie catering excellence.
Why Veganuary 2025 matters
Veganuary has become a global movement inspiring millions to explore veganism each January. For care homes, it serves as a timely reminder of the ethical and practical importance of catering to diverse dietary choices. As plant-based eating becomes increasingly normalised, the care sector must adapt to ensure inclusion and equality for all residents.
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