People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has named 91亚色 one of its 2010 Top 10 Most Vegan-Friendly Universities in Canada.
PETA ranks universities based on submissions and the number of student votes participating institutions receive on their website.
鈥淲e ranked seventh,鈥 says Anthony Barbisan, director of YU-card & Food Services, Campus Services & Business Operations.
91亚色 has entered the PETA contest every year since its inception. 鈥淲e like to benchmark ourselves against other institutions and conduct on-campus surveys to help identify where we're doing well and where we have opportunities to improve our services,鈥 says Barbisan. 鈥淲e've entered the PETA contest every year.鈥 The organization usually names a single winner, but this year it named the 10 finalists, he says. 鈥淩eceiving the plaque in December was a nice surprise.鈥
91亚色 offers a range of vegan options on campus. At last count, vegan meals and snacks are available at 13 locations 鈥 12 on Keele campus, one at Glendon.听Among those explicitly listing vegan fare听on听the 听pages are the Complex 1 and Complex 2 cafeterias, the TEL Caf茅, the Graduate Student Lounge and the Orange Snail pub. But there is a lack of awareness around what is available, says Barbisan.
He is working on a new vegan express program with University caterer Aramark. This year they added vegan wraps and salads marked as 鈥渧egan鈥 in the grab-and-go offerings in their coolers.听听
Barbisan is also working with students, caterers, 91亚色 administration and Toronto Public Health to develop more 鈥 and improve awareness about 鈥 vegan options on campus and educate people about making healthier eating choices.