Shreesh Pandey
Introduction
The urgency to transform our food systems has never been more pronounced, given the escalating climate crisis, unsustainable agricultural practices, and rising health concerns. As a passionate advocate for animal rights and environmental justice, my fellowship journey under the Environment Policy and Action Youth Fellowship (EPAYF) by IMPRI focused on promoting sustainable plant-based food systems.
Fieldwork and Engagement
My fieldwork led me to Fatehgarh and Ambala, districts where plant-based food options are relatively unfamiliar. The objective was to bridge the gap between sustainability goals and on-ground food service practices. Alongside my team, we engaged directly with restaurant owners, managers, and head chefs, discussing the environmental, ethical, and economic benefits of integrating plant-based options into their menus.
We provided samples of vegan products, customized menu suggestions, and offered Certificates of Compassion to establishments that embraced these changes. These certificates not only recognized their efforts but also served as a marketing tool to attract environmentally and ethically conscious consumers.
Learnings and Insights
This initiative was as much about spreading awareness as it was about learning. Effective outreach required building trust, clear communication, and offering practical solutions. Some restaurant owners expressed concerns about costs and ingredient availability. Through patient dialogues, we highlighted the global trend towards sustainable dining and the growing demand for plant-based options. We demonstrated cost-effective recipes and how such dishes could enhance their appeal and profit margins.
Negotiation became a critical skill—aligning sustainability with business interests. Understanding their supply chains, menu constraints, and customer preferences enabled us to build a coalition of eateries committed to sustainable change.
Challenges and Solutions
A significant challenge was the limited availability and high cost of plant-based alternatives, especially when compared to subsidized dairy products. Many vegan alternatives are taxed as luxury items, creating a market disadvantage.
To address this, we empowered local eateries to create basic vegan products like cashew cheese and soy milk, requiring minimal investment and basic training. We also facilitated connections between these eateries and vegan food startups to secure affordable ingredients, laying the foundation for a local plant-based supply ecosystem.
Our long-term vision includes building a regional coalition of sustainable eateries and engaging with larger food supply chains to ensure wider availability of vegan staples in local grocery stores.
Reflections and the Road Ahead
Awareness is the first step, but action drives change. Every meaningful transformation we witnessed stemmed from engagement, education, and support for small businesses in their transition.
This experience reinforced the idea that even a single dedicated individual can catalyze transformation within their community’s food ecosystem. With supportive policies, subsidies for plant-based ingredients, and inclusion in government nutrition programs, this grassroots model can scale to towns and cities across India.
The future of food is plant-based—a pathway to climate resilience, public health, and a compassionate society.
Acknowledgements: The author extends his heartfelt gratitude to IMPRI for this opportunity, his outreach team for their dedication, and all the restaurant partners in Fatehgarh and Ambala who embraced these ideas with open minds and hearts.
About the contributor: Shreesh Pandey is an animal rights and climate activist dedicated to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world. He is actively collaborating with several national and international organizations and has the privilege of speaking at schools and colleges to raise awareness about climate action and animal rights. He is a fellow of EPAYF 2.0 – Environment Policy and Action Youth Fellowship, Cohort 2.0.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
Building Greener Cities Starts with Knowing What’s ‘Green’
Building Smarter Climate Insurance: Addressing Risk, Behaviour, and Innovation
Acknowledgement: This article was posted by Khushboo Dandona, a research intern at IMPRI.
