Veganism at the Mount
By Desiree Leader | Staff Writer
Photo by Desiree Leader
According to a study by the research group College Pulse, 14% of the college population follows a vegetarian (no meat products) or vegan (no animal products, including milk or eggs) diet, compared to 4% of the general population. The most cited reason for this is environmental concerns (31%), followed closely by animal rights and health. While no specific data was available for the Mount, Mina Girouard, Student Leader in Civic Engagement, and member of the Food for Thought food pantry at the college has noticed an uptick in the need for vegan products to serve the students. They purchase items like tofu, which are not available through the Worcester County Food Bank that helps stock the pantry. They also offer fresh produce and staples like pasta, beans, and plant-based grains.