Tāmaki Makaurau – Microsoft’s LinkedIn has converted the menu at its San Francisco headquarters to feature mostly plant-based options.
LinkedIn is a business and employment-focused social media platform that works through websites and mobile apps.
Working with the Good Eating Company, the professional network platform subscribed to a food programme designed by Greener by Default (GBD). GBD is a specialist company that assists organisations to move towards sustainable food options, by promoting plant-based menu choices.
This resulted in a 65 percent plant-based menu being brought in at LinkedIn. Simultaneously, cow’s milk has been replaced with oat alternatives as the default option.
Though meat dishes are still served, they are limited in number. The most carbon-intensive meats, including beef and lamb, are included in just one dish per week. It is hoped that diners will naturally favour climate-friendly meals as a result.
When a corporate trendsetter such as LinkedIn shows people are happy to choose plant-based foods when they’re accessible and appealing, it’s a huge leap forward towards a more sustainable food culture, Katie Cantrell, chief executive of Greener by Default says.
Prior to LinkedIn working with GBD, their headquarters offered far more meat options. In addition, the plant-based options, three to meat’s five, were served at a separate station.
To tip the scales in the other direction, GBD developed a programme that introduced an increasing number of meatless dishes.
They gradually replaced standard meat items over a number of months in 2022. Throughout the process, they asked staff if they enjoyed the food, which they did, prompting further animal-free substitutions.
GBD states that at the close of a three-month trial period, the ratio of foods had flipped. It switched to five plant-based items to meat’s three. One reason for the success of the initiative appears to be a commitment to keep serving popular dishes, but veganized.
It now appears that other LinkedIn offices will be given the same menu transformation treatment.
Anna Bohbot, LinkedIn’s global food manager, says they can’t wait to continue to expand the new food regime across other LinkedIn cafe locations.
GBD works with a vast range of clients including healthcare facilities, universities, and restaurants.
To date, it counts Harvard University, Stanford Medicine, and global soap manufacturer Dr Bronner’s as clients, alongside LinkedIn.
The success of the enterprise is, arguably, due to its subscription to three core beliefs. These are that plant-based food is more sustainable, cost-effective, and inclusive. By encouraging clients to make animal-based dishes an opt-in choice, big changes seem to be possible.
When hosting events and meetings, the Harvard Office for Sustainability serves plant-based meals by default, giving diners the choice to opt-in for meals with animal products. This strategy is inclusive, reduces their carbon footprint, and increases the healthfulness of meals.
