Exeter does Veganuary

from de Saram. These meals are always vegetarian, and there is always as least one vegan option. As well as this, the Market Place, Forum Kitchen, and the Ram all have a range of vegan products, which are sold at similar price-points to the non-vegan options, making them also accessible for students. Camper Coffee in particular offers a wide range of non-dairy milks; Exeter caters well for those seeking a nondairy and/or non-meat lifestyle.

While vegan products are regularly available across Streatham Campus, multiple respondents suggested to Exeposé that the University was not doing enough to promote Veganuary. Students expressed that they had not seen much promotion of the initiative across campus, or a particular emphasis placed on vegan food during the month, citing examples from the end of last term, when promoters from Love Raw, a vegan chocolate company, came on campus and handed out free samples in the Forum, which created buzz and exactment around vegan chocolate, and suggesting that more of these simple drop ins could have helped to encourage interest in Veganuary.

When students were asked whether they thought that partaking in Veganuary may lead them to eat more vegan food or even adopt a totally vegan lifestyle in the future, the responses were mixed. Several students commented that they did not think that they would continue with a vegan lifestyle after Veganuary. One student expressed how they would possibly stick to a vegan lifestyle, as they “found it easy, affordable and tasty!” Some students suggested that there were a couple of non-vegan foods they would find it particularly difficult to give up in the long-term, with one stating: “I would always consider going vegan but unfortunately I don’t think I could give up dairy successfully” and explaining that they “just wanted to try it,” but that “the adverse effects on health for me would not be worth it in my personal circumstances.” Other students encouraged maintaining a vegan lifestyle after completing Veganuary, commenting that “it would definitely make me rethink my meals and try new things, and even eat less meat by trying substitutes.”

Students who spoke to Exeposé saw Veganuary in an overall positive light, with one student stating that they believe “having a vegan lifestyle may be most costly for students,” however, also explaining that “the sustainability for the environment is huge and by implementing plant-based foods into your diet, in a cost-effective way, it will benefit the climate crisis

The minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education, Robert Halfon, said: “This is a fantastic initiative, and I am hugely grateful to the University of Exeter for their proactive support to help catch up children in their community. Tutoring is a key component to our catch-up strategy, and this is a great example of how students can help to play their part.”

FOLLOWING its successful return last year post-pandemic, it has been confirmed that Exeter Pride will take place on Saturday May 13th this year.

Exeter Pride is one of the South West’s biggest celebrations of the LGBT+ community and one of the country’s biggest Pride events, so there are expected to be lots of attendees. In fact, the committee are currently looking for more people with the skills and time to support the organisation and the planning of Pride 2023.

If anything like last year, attendees can expect a march in which a giant rainbow flag is carried through the city centre, followed by stalls and live music in Northernhay Gardens. It is predicted to be busy and vibrant, becoming a major part of the city landscape for the weekend.

Tamsin Scott, chair of Exeter’s Pride Committee said: “We’re so grateful to everybody who joined us for our big comeback last year, and bowled over by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community, including a lot of people attending for the first time. Here’s to another spectacular year!” and environment.” Other students agreed that there were benefits with continuing a vegan lifestyle after Veganuary, as they believed it would “benefit us in terms of health.”

A spokesperson for the University stated that they would be holding a variety of vegan food promotions to celebrate Veganuary across its campuses. They elaborated that this array of options included: “Vegan ‘special’ hot boxes in both La Touche and Cross Keys, 10 per cent reductions on the vegan Proper Cornish range in the Market Place, price reduction on selected dishes in iSCA EATS and the Ram Bar, and Vegan Buddha Bowls in Forum Kitchen until 20th January”. The University went on to say that they regularly review their food and drinks provisions across their campuses in order to ensure that “the needs and requirements for students, staff and visitors alike are met. The University has a good vegan food offer throughout the year with all outlets feature vegan dishes on menus as standard.”

If interested in joining the Pride committee, Devon Live currently has a link on their website for the form which is required to become a voluntary worker for the event.