Communicating Meatless Monday To Employees

General info and ‘why’ Meatless Monday?

Meatless Monday can make a big difference for our personal health and the health of our planet. Replacing meat with plant-based meals each Monday is an easy and impactful way to kick-start or augment a healthy eating habit, as well as take action against climate change.

“I’m starting my (diet/exercise/meditation/etc) on Monday!” We’ve all heard and probably said these words, often relating to beginning a new healthy habit. Well, research backs up this idea that Monday is the best day to start a new healthy activity. Studies suggest that people are more open to trying and maintaining healthy behaviors at the start of the week.

Key messages and best practices for communicating about Meatless Monday:

• Eating less meat, especially red and processed meats, and enjoying more plant-based foods can help provide many health and environmental benefits.
• Plant-based eating is easier than ever, there are tons of meatless options for every type of eater.
• You can enjoy all of your favorite foods and family meals, made plant-based.
• You’re not alone in your healthy eating goals, most Americans are trying to eat less meat.
• Mark your calendar/send reminders for Meatless Monday each week.
• Find a Meatless Monday buddy or group to join you each week.
• Promote Meatless Monday menu options to employees each week (cafeteria or local restaurant menus).
• Use enticing and sensory language to talk about plant-based meals.
• You don’t have to take meat off of the menu entirely or go vegan, simply enjoy a day of meatless meals.
• Focus on the delicious plant-based options available, not the lack of meat.
• Address any nutritional concerns, usually about getting enough protein.

Health communications:

Promoting the health benefits of plant-based eating via Meatless Monday can support health and wellness programs with an actionable and easy step that can lead to healthier eating all week.

Target audience and channels: Health and wellness employee content, easy to action health tips, worksite wellness program content, lunch and learns, social media, HR and employee communications.

• Substituting plant-based foods for meat can help you maintain a healthy weight.
• Eating less meat and more plant-based foods, such as vegetables, beans, and nuts, can improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Skipping even a half serving of meat every day and replacing it with a plant protein like beans or tofu can decrease your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
• Cutting back on red and processed meat and eating more plant-based foods can promote kidney health.
• Beans, nuts, soy, and other vegetables can give you all the protein you need in one day.

Health related graphics and assets:

• Heart
• Kidney
• Diabetes
• Nutritional information
• Immune boosting information

Plant-based eating communications:

Meatless Monday can help employees and stakeholders become more familiar with plant-based meals and position your organization as a health, wellness, and sustainability leader.

Target audience or channel: Health, nutrition, and wellness content, employee wellness programs, food service employee education, lunch and learns, social media, and employee engagement communications.

• Most Americans report they want to reduce their meat consumption for their health.
• Consumer demand for plant-based options continues to grow year-over-year
• Going Meatless Monday is an easy first step to eating less meat.
• Plant-based products and recipes are abundant and offer delicious and convenient meatless alternatives.
• You can enjoy all of your favorite foods, made plant-based.
• You can easily meet your daily nutritional needs on Meatless Monday.
• People to go Meatless Monday have reported eating healthier all week.

Plant-based graphics and assets:

• Plant-based cooking tips
• Plant-based recipe collections
• Searchable Meatless Monday recipes

Environmental communications:

Food choices have a direct impact on the health of the planet. And while it’s true that all foods need resources to produce, research shows that meat and dairy have the greatest impacts on the environment. Going Meatless Monday is an easy way to eat more sustainably and demonstrate commitment to the environment.

Target audience or use case: Sustainability reports, green team content, Earth Day promotions, lunch and learns, social media, and employee engagement content.

Environmental graphics and assets.

• Livestock production creates more greenhouse gases than the entire transportation sector – all the cars, trucks, planes, and trains in the world.
• Livestock production uses 75% of the earth’s agricultural land.
• Producing ONE quarter-pound beef burger uses 425 gallons of water – enough water to fill 10 bathtubs.
• Producing ONE quarter-pound beef burger uses up enough energy to power an iPhone for 6 months.
• Skipping one serving of beef every Monday for a year saves the equivalent emissions to driving 348 miles in a car.

Additional Resources:

Easy to use communication resources and marketing assets.