CAMPAIGNERS have called on Bridgwater Town Council to switch to 100% plant-based catering.

Bridgwater resident Sossa Starshine urged members of the Town Council to switch, in a deputation delivered at the Full Council meeting, held on Thursday, October 17. She was in attendance at the meeting with several other residents from the town who form part of the Plant-Based Councils campaign.

Addressing members of the Town Council, Sossa Starshine said: “By committing to swapping council catering to totally plant-based, you would be leading by example in a time when nearly every town and county has declared a climate emergency.”

She added: “All of the current science shows that the use of livestock in agriculture is the leading driver of the climate and biodiversity crises, which is impacting residents and farmers alike. On the flip side, plant-based food has been proven time and time again to be the most climate-friendly way to eat.”

“By taking this stance officially and making these changes, you encourage other councils to take similar steps, and ultimately help to normalise plant-based eating, blazing a trail for real progress when we critically need to be making moves to realise our climate goals.” 

According to Plant Based Councils, ten UK councils have already voted to transition to 100% plant-based internal catering, including Cambridge, Oxfordshire, Exeter and, most recently, Nottingham. Neighbouring Taunton Town Council also recently pledged to go 50% plant-based.

In a statement, Plant Based Councils added: “Councillors enjoyed samples of home-made vegan chocolate brownies brought by Starshine while she spoke, and Bridgwater Council Chair, Jacqui Solomon, agreed that this was a very important item, and that the council takes the climate situation seriously. She said it will be discussed in council.”

A local Somerset group exists for the national Plant-Based Councils campaign. The group has been in contact with multiple councils all throughout Somerset and has so-far collected over 250 signatures from residents who would also like to see their councils commit to plant-based catering.

Bridgwater Town Council has been approached for comment.