Chat and chew: Mario batali's head of sustainability talks meatless monday and how it has shaped the restaurant industry to the benefit of public health

Since 2003, many restaurants have joined the Meatless Monday movement, a grassroots campaign to encourage people to reduce their meat intake in order to improve their personal health and the health of the planet. The owners and chefs of these restaurants participate not only because they believe it is the right thing to do for our health and environment, but because it also makes good business sense, as it provides a natural promotion opportunity on a day that is traditionally slow for food service. As a key player in our food system, restaurants are increasingly working in concert with public health as advocates for healthy eating and sustainable foods, while maintaining a firm standing in the private sector as for-profit businesses. This unique position allows the restaurant industry to provide valuable insights into bridging the gap and finding common ground between corporate interests and public health.

Mario Batali is an internationally recognized figure in the restaurant world. In this presentation, his Director of Food Safety and Sustainability will provide insights from her experience working within the food system on how restaurants can help serve the public health while responsibly meeting corporate interests. She will use the example of how Batali has implemented Meatless Monday in his restaurants to illustrate the benefits and challenges for restaurants wanting to act as public health advocates within the financial confines of private industry and the complexities of the larger food system.