We evaluated 23 of Canada’s top restaurant chains and graded them on their inclusion of plant-based menu options and efforts towards making meaningful meat reduction commitments.
In a world grappling with the urgent need to address climate change and improve animal welfare, the restaurant industry plays a crucial role.
Our latest report, “Moving the Menu” highlights the importance of plant-based offerings and meat reduction commitments as essential steps toward a more humane and sustainable food system.
Factory farming, which supplies most of the meat in Canada, not only subjects billions of animals to horrific conditions but also contributes to nearly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Shifting to a predominantly plant-based food system is critical for meeting Canada’s climate targets, protecting the planet’s resources and equitably feeding a growing global population.
Sadly, most of the largest restaurant chains in Canada are falling short in their efforts to invest in a humane and sustainable food system. Few have taken meaningful steps to diversify the protein offerings on their menus, and none have set the clear meat reduction goals necessary to meet climate and other sustainability commitments.
Some of these restaurants, however, have commitments for improved animal welfare in their supply chain, demonstrating a willingness to move towards a more humane food system. Expanding those commitments to include meat reduction is a powerful way to continue making progress for animals, as well as the environment and human health.
The plant-based sector presents an opportunity for restaurants to create innovative menus that resonate with their customers while promoting sustainability and moving the world away from factory farming. However, most companies are failing to embrace the benefits of a plant-based by default food system. Despite some chains testing new plant-based menu items on a limited basis, few restaurant chains are investing in expanding their plant-based menus.
As the plant-based sector continues to grow and other innovations emerge, restaurants must make these products available and promote their benefits to their customers. It is time for restaurants to step up and lead the way towards a more compassionate and sustainable future in the food industry.
See how your favourite restaurant scored:
Learn more about this report, how the restaurants were graded and our recommendations:
