School Defends Its Title Among 32 Fierce Finalists in Annual peta2 Survey
For Immediate Release:
November 21, 2011
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Evanston, Ill. — First there were 32, then 16, then eight—and when the bracket-style face-off was over, there was a clear winner in peta2's sixth annual survey to determine the Most Vegan-Friendly College in America. Northwestern University took top honors in the small-school division. The university will receive framed certificates from peta2, PETA's youth division, to place in all its award-winning dining halls.
"Northwestern University is a great example of how more and more schools are meeting the growing demand for vegan meals," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "And as the school's decadent dining options show, not only is vegan eating a great way to help the environment, our health, and animals—it's also delicious."
Northwestern first took the number one spot in peta2's contest in 2007 and experienced a repeat victory in 2010. This year, the school once more took top honors, thanks to its tofu French toast, country-fried seitan steak with vegan mashed potatoes, and vegan curried tofu with jasmine rice. With these delicious options, it's no wonder that Northwestern's dining services reports that as many as half of its students select a vegetarian or vegan entrée every day.
Every person who goes vegan saves the lives of more than 100 animals a year. Also, a recent United Nations report concluded that a global shift toward a vegan diet is necessary to combat the worst effects of climate change. And because since vegan meals are low in saturated fat and contain no cholesterol, they're a great way to improve our health too.
Northwestern and UC Santa Cruz, which came out on top in the large-school division, were chosen the winners by peta2 based on four factors: the number of votes received, the quality and variety of vegan food, the school's enthusiasm in promoting their options, and student feedback.
For more information, please visit peta2.com.
