Slowly, but surely veganism is taking over the UK. Or at least that’s sometimes how it feels. Most menus offer a range of plant-based options these days, while Birmingham is full of some amazing vegan restaurants. Every cafe has some form of milk alternative on offer too. But the University of Birmingham is going one step further by making oat milk the norm.
From March, all barista-made hot drinks will be made with oat milk at the University of Birmingham, instead of cow’s milk, by default. That’s not to say you won’t get access to other options, you’ll just have to say what you want! Otherwise, it’s oat milk on campus for you. It looks like the scheme will only be trialled for a month at first, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it carries on beyond that if successful.
Food Fellows – who are responsible for food and drink on campus at the University of Birmingham – is trying to add “more inclusive food and drink options on campus,” which includes its vegan, veggie and halal offers. Part of this, the team is working with the Guild of Students to make dairy-free the norm at Campus Express (located near the Murray Learning Centre).
We’re sure for some students this will be music to their ears. While others will be furious at the belief that cow’s milk shouldn’t be seen as ‘normal milk’. Many probably won’t care at all. Again, it’s only on one campus and for one month though – and you can still ask for cow’s milk too! This is going to be a hotly debated topic on campus either way. But isn’t that what university is all about?