Launched in 2020, the Canadian University Initiative (CUI) works with universities across Canada to increase the availability of plant-based meals in campus dining. By supporting student engagement, sustainability efforts, and institutional change, CUI helps advance healthier, more sustainable food systems.
Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) is a national pilot campaign to help universities make plant-based dining the easy, inclusive, and climate-friendly choice. Developed in response to findings from our 2025 national dining survey, the campaign supports campus sustainability goals through chef training, joint awareness and education campaigns, curriculum integration, behavioural strategies like nudging and DefaultVeg, and impact tracking. Collaborating with food services, students, and sustainability offices, BDB offers flexible, tailored opportunities to reduce food-related emissions and build climate-aligned campus dining systems.
Interested in getting involved? Contact us at lindsay@plantbasedcities.org.
2025 University Dining Survey: Key Insights
In early 2025, CUI surveyed dining leaders at Canada’s 30 largest universities to better understand progress and challenges in plant-based dining. Thirteen universities responded, providing insights that informed our national steering committee meeting and the direction of the Breaking Down Barriers campaign.
Among nine universities that participated in both the 2022 and 2025 surveys, a clear shift in meal composition is underway. Animal-based meals are projected to decline from 56.9% in 2020 to 35.6% by 2027, while vegan and vegetarian options are expected to increase, together making up nearly two-thirds of meals served.
Video Gallery
Explore highlights from our video gallery, including recordings from bi-annual Steering Committee meetings that bring together chefs, students, and subject matter experts to co-create solutions for sustainable campus dining.
Earthsave Canada Speaker Series: Eleanor Carrara (June 2023)
University Trade Association Meeting (June 2023)
Transitioning Canadian Universities to Plant-Based Menus (May 2023)
Alumni Reunion Meeting (November 2022)
Transitioning Canadian Universities to Plant-Based Menus
Since 2020, university food service teams have been sharing their plant-based dining progress at our Steering Committee meetings. These presentations highlight innovative approaches, challenges, and successes in advancing sustainable menus on campus. Below you’ll find copies of the original presentation slides as shared by participating universities.
