Years ago, Emily Kraft decided to stop eating animal products.

In private life this is no longer a problem - thanks to the veggie boom.

It's different at university: the vegan sometimes finds it difficult to find something to eat there.

Since the corona pandemic, a vegan menu has only been on the menu in their cafeteria every other day.

“I often bring my own food with me or get a falafel somewhere,” says Kraft.

The 20-year-old is studying law at the University of Cologne and is committed to the sustainable university group Campus Grün for more vegan diversity.

Kraft is an activist, but she is not alone in her understanding of vegan nutrition: More and more students want a wider range of vegan options at universities.

While two percent of the entire German population now follow a vegan diet, more than 13 percent of students eat purely plant-based, as a survey by the Kölner Studierendenwerk shows.

By way of comparison: in 2013 it was around half at 6.1 percent.

Good reasons for less vegan options

Many universities are complying with the demands of their students, the vegan offer in the canteens and cafeterias of the universities has grown steadily in recent years. This is also shown by a survey by the animal welfare organization PETA. Most German canteens now offer at least one vegan main course a day, and sometimes there is even a choice between several vegan dishes. "Our survey clearly shows the increasing interest in the subject of vegan catering," commented PETA praising the results of their study.

So far, the TU Berlin and the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg have particularly distinguished themselves with their purely vegan canteens - the only two in Germany that completely renounce the sale of animal products, and with great success. Since the opening of Veggie 2.0 at the TU Berlin in early 2019, an average of more than 900 guests have come per day - those responsible had expected around half. "The students were enthusiastic," says Jana Judisch, spokeswoman for the Berlin Student Union.

The TU Berlin and the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg are still an exception with their food offerings, but they “could serve as role models for other canteens,” writes PETA.

In the pandemic, however, many student unions have partially or even completely removed their vegan dishes from the menu.

The Cologne student union had also significantly restricted its vegan offer.

For students there was a daily meat dish and either a vegetarian or a vegan meal.

The University of Hanover also offered fewer vegan dishes during the pandemic and thus drew the anger of some students.

"Vegan sauce for the pasta is a rarity, otherwise there is usually only a vegan main course once a week," complained a student at the university in the forum of the student union.