How do you encourage more people to embrace plant-based food? Let them taste it and decide for themselves. From 1 to 30 November, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is taking part in the Campus V Cup, organised by ProVeg Belgium. Competing against 14 other campuses, the university is aiming to win the title of Belgium’s Best Veggie Campus.
What's on the menu at our campus restaurant?
A quick bite between lectures, a hot meal with friends or colleagues, or a sandwich during a lunch break: for many students and staff, the campus restaurant is part of everyday life. But what determines what ends up on their plate? Taste, price, habit or simply the desire to try something new?
With the Campus V Cup, ProVeg Belgium aims to introduce more people to plant-based food. Fifteen universities and universities of applied sciences will compete over the course of a month. It's not just the taste and quality of their dishes that matter, but also the variety of options available, the activities organised on campus and the ratings given by restaurant customers.
For VUB, the competition is an opportunity to showcase its plant-based menu at the Etterbeek campus and make it even better.
Students want food that's tasty and affordable
The GreenTeam, a group of committed VUB students, is also supporting the campaign. According to Oskar, a student and GreenTeam member, many students are open to plant-based food, although eating habits still play an important role.
"Our own survey shows that more than 90% of the students surveyed would consider choosing a plant-based option, provided it's tasty and affordable. Many students already eat plant-based meals regularly, without necessarily putting a label on it."
For Oskar, eating more plant-based food doesn't have to mean a major lifestyle change. Even swapping just one meal for a plant-based alternative can make a positive difference.
Together with Plant-Based Universities, the GreenTeam is organising several activities in November, including a screening of Okja and a plant-based cooking workshop. Through these events, the students hope to show just how much plant-based food has to offer.
"My tip? Try the veggie bolognese. Even my friends who eat meat think it tastes better than the meat version"
Putting the VUB restaurant to the test
On 18 November, the competition heats up. The Campus V Campervan will stop at the Etterbeek campus, where a panel of professional judges will put the plant-based dishes served at the VUB restaurant to the test. Taste, texture, nutritional value, aroma and presentation will all contribute to the final score.
The kitchen team will be serving dishes including Swedish-style meatballs and a Haute Dog. Everyone is welcome to come along, sample the food, cheer on the chefs and enjoy breakfast at the Alpro breakfast bar.
But the judges won't have the final say on their own. Throughout November, students and staff can use a QR code to rate the plant-based dishes served at the campus restaurant. Their ratings will count towards the final result and provide valuable feedback to help the kitchen team improve its menu.
Whether VUB will take home the title of Belgium's Best Veggie Campus will be revealed in December.
What's on the menu?
From 1 to 30 November, the Campus V Cup takes centre stage at the VUB restaurant on the Etterbeek campus. The programme includes Future Food Days, a screening of Okja, a visit from the GAIA Food Truck, a plant-based cooking workshop and the judges' visit on 18 November.
Your vote counts too! Try a plant-based dish, rate it using the QR code in the restaurant and you could win a festival ticket to Paradise City Festival 2027, an air fryer or a goodie bag.
About GreenTeam
GreenTeam is a group of committed VUB students working towards a more sustainable university. Through campaigns and practical initiatives focusing on climate, mobility and food, they encourage students and staff to make more sustainable choices.
