Overview

• Oxfordshire County Council adopted a vegan-only catering policy in 2021 to address climate change, reduce food waste, and promote healthy eating.
• The council acknowledged sourcing imported oranges and bananas during winter months, contravening its own food miles guidelines.
• Countryside Alliance and local figures including Jeremy Clarkson and Bethia Thomas criticized the policy for neglecting nearby farms and local produce.
• Liz Leffman has ordered a comprehensive review of full council lunch arrangements to ensure future menus comply with sustainability rules.
• The review aims to reinforce local sourcing practices and bolster the county’s agricultural sector, which occupies about three-quarters of Oxfordshire land.