If yes, then we're pleased to inform you that Dr. Skrbina's vegan sub sandwich proposal to the campus Subway as a viable way to make it happen sooner. These arguments are applicable to campuses everywhere, but you may have to check the prices. Our campus subway charges a bit more across the board than most other subways do. Here's a bit from Dr. Skrbina:
At present there is only one way to buy a vegan sub: the Veggie Delight (all fresh vegetables), with vinegar and oil dressing. This sells for $5.29, the same price as if the customer included cheese, egg-product, and dairyFull paper below:
dressing. By comparison, the ham sub is $5.89—just $0.60 more. Subway’s (and Aramark’s) profit margin on such a ‘vegan sub’ is undoubtedly huge—surpassing every other product they sell, given that the ingredients are the lowest-cost. And given that a ‘$5 footlong’ is a viable product, and 3 for $12, we should expect a sub-$5
price on the vegan alternative.
In effect, buyers of a vegan sub are subsidizing the non-vegan and meat subs. Based on the above facts, it should be the other way around: vegan subs should be the cheapest, and the cost burden placed on the meat.
The Case for an Affordable Vegan Sub
‘Vegan’: any food product that does not contain animal flesh, or any animal product—including milk,
cheese, egg, or other dairy.
Background
The Subway franchise (owned by Aramark) at the University Center offers the usual variety of sub sandwiches, including a Veggie Delight (fresh vegetables + cheese and dressing) that retails for $5.29 (footlong). They also have a Veggie Patty (veggie burger, containing egg) for $6.19.
Meat subs run from $5.89 (ham) to $6.69 (beef and chicken). Nationally, they have been promoting “$5
footlong” subs (meat or veggie), and offering 3 for $12 ($4 each!), since 2008.
There would be significant benefit in offering an explicitly-marketed vegan sub, at a fair price.
Why Vegan?
Three reasons: (1) Health. Vegan food is lowest in cholesterol and saturated fat, and lowest in cancer-causing
food-based chemicals. According to the ADA, vegan foods result in reduced heart disease, lower blood lipid
levels, lower rates of hypertension, reduced risk of diabetes, and less obesity. A vegan diet is “healthful,
nutritionally adequate, [and] is appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including
pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.”
(2) Environment. Meat and other animal-based foods are very taxing on the environment. They consume
large amounts of water and energy, produce huge amounts of waste, and (especially for beef) require vast
areas of land. Cattle production also produces large amounts of global-warming gasses, primarily methane
and nitrous oxide. According to the UN’s FAO, livestock now use, directly or indirectly, 30% of the
Earth’s land surface area; they furthermore account for an astounding 20% of all terrestrial animal biomass.
(3) Animal welfare. Industrial animal production is cruel, painful, unsanitary, and inhumane. Even egg and
dairy (milk) production involve animal confinement, suffering, shortened life spans, and undignified living
conditions.
The Problem
At present there is only one way to buy a vegan sub: the Veggie Delight (all fresh vegetables), with vinegar
and oil dressing. This sells for $5.29, the same price as if the customer included cheese, egg-product, and dairy
dressing. By comparison, the ham sub is $5.89—just $0.60 more. Subway’s (and Aramark’s) profit margin on
such a ‘vegan sub’ is undoubtedly huge—surpassing every other product they sell, given that the ingredients are
the lowest-cost. And given that a ‘$5 footlong’ is a viable product, and 3 for $12, we should expect a sub-$5
price on the vegan alternative.
In effect, buyers of a vegan sub are subsidizing the non-vegan and meat subs. Based on the above facts, it
should be the other way around: vegan subs should be the cheapest, and the cost burden placed on the meat.
Our Request
Subway should place on the menu an explicit ‘vegan sub’ option, using currently-available ingredients. It
should be priced at the lowest profit margin, not the highest. Recommendation: $4.25 footlong, $2.25 for 6”.
Benefits
For all parties: Customers get a healthy, low-fat, low-cost option. Subway further enhances its reputation as
the ‘healthy alternative’ to fast food. The environment is benefited. And animal suffering is reduced.
D. Skrbina (9/14/2010)
Dept of Philosophy
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