Every Place That Sells Food Should Offer a Vegan Option
Published on Sep 20, 2026, filed under misc. (Share this post, e.g., on Mastodon.)
As opposed to other diets, the vegan diet can be eaten by almost everyone. Exceptions seem narrow, like food allergies that can rule out certain dishes (think peanuts).
Even without considering that veganism is one of the most ethical and sustainable ways of sharing this planet with other living beings, it’s astonishing that in most places, there are no mandates (laws) requiring vegan options.
That means, you have a good chance of entering a restaurant, attending an event, or boarding a plane that offers no vegan options.
Society says that’s fine.
Every vegan says it’s not. It’s backwards.
All we need to do is look at what food can be eaten by most people.
No ethics discussion, no sustainability discussion, just one of human needs and, for the capitalists involved, one of economics.
Vegan food can and should be viewed as the foundation for all other diets.
Essentially every diet includes food that vegans eat—but not the other way around.
As such, a kind request:
If you sell food, please offer at least one vegan option. Do it just for economic reasons if you must, like not seeing vegan customers walk away—perhaps pulling a group of omnivores with them.
If you’re a lawmaker, look into guiding the market. There’s no harm in a vegan option on a menu—but harm in not ensuring there is one (an entire group of people is being excluded, their basic needs not met).
If you’re a bystander, occasionally ask about vegan options. This helps: It raises awareness that there are people who do not want anyone to suffer or die for them, and it may prompt places to look into providing such options.
Thank you.
About Me
I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m an engineering lead, guerrilla philosopher, and indie publisher. I’ve worked as a technical lead and engineering manager at various companies (e.g., Google); I’m an active web and tool developer (code optimization, digital defense), a contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and a book author (O’Reilly, Frontend Dogma).
I love trying things—in web development and engineering management, but also in politics and philosophy, where I hold to one idea in particular: that we can only be well if we take good care of everyone. Here on meiert.com I talk about some of my perspectives and experiences. (Interpret charitably but be critical—and share feedback and advice that makes my work better.)