University enrollment is on the rise.
In the heart of Gießen, the Mensa Otto-Behaghel-Straße has made a significant stride in vegan dining, earning accolades from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The Mensa, a popular student dining spot, has expanded its predominantly vegan menu in recent years. This shift has seen the introduction of a variety of plant-based dishes, such as cauliflower burgers, soy doner, paella, and lemon-caper meatballs. The menu also boasts vegan wraps, cakes, puddings, soups, and more.
Students have played a pivotal role in promoting this vegan offering. Initiatives like Veganuary, a falafel week, and a "New Meat" campaign week have been instrumental in highlighting the vegan meals on offer.
The Mensa's vegan commitment extends beyond its menu. Daily changing salad bowls, snacks, pastries, starters, and desserts are all available, and the establishment even produces plant-based alternative products in-house.
The Mensa's dedication to vegan and vegetarian options has not gone unnoticed. The Student Services Giessen received the PETA award, a recognition of their commitment to providing diverse and ethical dining options.
The overall evaluation for PETA's ranking includes daily availability of vegan dishes, staff training, transparent labeling, and thematic action weeks. The Mensa Otto-Behaghel-Straße excelled in these areas, improving its rating by 1.5 points compared to the previous year.
The Mensa Otto-Behaghel-Straße is not alone in its vegan-friendly offerings. The CampusTor and Café am Kunstweg, also under the Student Services Giessen, have also been recognised for their vegan-friendly facilities.
This recognition is a testament to the growing trend of plant-based options at universities across Germany. The ninth annual ranking saw a total of 29 student services from all over the country participate.
Guido Wolf, head of university catering at the Student Services Giessen, emphasised that they take student wishes seriously and have oriented parts of their canteens and cafeterias towards vegan and vegetarian options. The Mensa Otto-Behaghel-Straße, CampusTor, and Café am Kunstweg are proud to be among the top performers in vegan nutrition in Germany in 2025.
In a change from previous years, PETA's ranking system now awards green leaves instead of stars, with half leaves also possible. The Mensa Otto-Behaghel-Straße, CampusTor cafeteria, and Café am Kunstweg have all received this prestigious award.
Interestingly, this is the first time PETA has awarded the CampusTor cafeteria and Café am Kunstweg. The student representatives in the administrative council initiated the proposal for a vegan or vegetarian orientation in parts of the Student Services Giessen's canteens and cafeterias, setting the stage for this recognition.
The vegan-friendly offerings at the Mensa Otto-Behaghel-Straße, CampusTor, and Café am Kunstweg continue to evolve, with action days, cooking competitions, and student participation playing a key role in their ongoing success.
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