University of South Florida in the Running for Most Vegan Friendly College in the U.S.

peta2 Launches 2012 Contest as the Number of Vegan Students Skyrockets

For Immediate Release:
October 11, 2012

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Tampa, Fla. -- According to food-service provider Bon Appétit, in the seven years since peta2, PETA's youth division, started its annual Most Vegan-Friendly College contest, the number of college students who identify themselves as vegetarian has risen by 50 percent and the number of vegan students has more than doubled. So this year, determining the best of 32 large schools and 32 small schools will be tougher than ever, but University of South Florida (USF) has a good shot.

With a new vegan dining guide unveiled in spring 2012 and discount coupons for meat-free options on Mondays,USF gets two big thumbs up! This fall, the university has expanded its vegan options to include black-bean burgers with cilantro-ginger pineapple, tofu pho, farfalle with broccoli and vegan cheese, and vegan meatball subs. Throw in a grab-'n'-go market with choices such as veggie tuna subs and Shanghai dumplings, and a dining services department that regularly partners with campus organizations to distribute free vegan food samples, and it's easy to see why students are thrilled to be Bulls.

"The vegan revolution is in full swing, and nowhere is that more evident than at USF and other schools across the country," says peta2 Associate Director Marta Holmberg. "The best way that students can fortify their health for a tough year of hitting the books, protect the environment, and save animals' lives at the same time is to go vegan."

Besides being turned off by the massive suffering of animals raised and killed for food, students have other good reasons to go vegan. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegetarians are less prone to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer than meat-eaters are. Also, the United Nations has concluded that factory farming is one of the biggest contributors to the most serious environmental problems at every level—from local to global—and that a worldwide shift toward a vegan diet is necessary to combat the worst effects of climate change.

The contest began October 8, and voting for the first round ends October 16. Round winners are determined by the number of votes received, the quality and variety of vegan foods offered by the schools, the schools' enthusiasm in promoting vegan options, and student feedback. For more information, please visit peta2.com.