An animal right’s activist has spoken about food choices following an eco-friendly event, which took place yesterday.
Students from both Bournemouth campuses gathered under a marquee in the AUB Courtyard, where there were local businesses and startups which aim to help people to reduce their carbon footprint.
The event was part of AUBSU’s ‘Go Green Week‘.
Amongst the stalls was a table run by PETA and members of the Reducetarian Society at AUB, which is a student-run group aiming to encourage students to eat less meat and dairy products.
The food on offer included an American-style jalapeño pepper jack cheese, sausages, vegan ‘duck’, and sandwiches with egg-free mayo.
PETA, which is short for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is an international animal right’s organisation.
The stall was giving away free samples of vegan products, as well as leaflets regarding the consumption of animal products.
Laura Brown, who was representing PETA, was giving students tasters of ‘VBites’, a company which offers plant-based alternatives to meats and cheeses.
She said: ‘we’re hoping that by giving people the opportunity to try these products, and seeing how tasty they can be, they can maybe think about their choices when they go to the supermarket and buy food.
‘Hopefully they will choose a kinder alternative.’
The food on offer included an American-style jalapeño pepper jack cheese, sausages, vegan ‘duck’, and sandwiches with egg-free mayo.
Accompanying the PETA stall was the chance to try VR from Animal Equality, an animal protection organisation.
The headsets showed students point-of-view footage from the perspective of farmed animals, allegedly to ‘promote compassion’ and ‘expose secretive factory farms’.
The Zero Waste Market also had stalls with information about recycling and reducing plastic use.
Outside the marquee were rails of vintage clothing on sale to promote sustainable fashion.
Other events that are happening this week as part of the event include a wildflower workshop, fair-trade chocolate, and a beach clean at Bournemouth Pier at the weekend.
