Swansea University research for VfL suggests numbers of veg*n care home residents could double in next few years

Recent research, commissioned by VfL and conducted by Swansea University’s OMNIPLaNT research group, underscores the pressing need for care homes to meet the nutritional and ethical needs of residents following plant-based diets.

The OMNIPLaNT study, supported by VfL, reveals key insights into plant-based dietary trends within the UK’s care sector:

• The number of care homes catering to at least one vegetarian rose from 22.7% in 2014 to 31.8% in 2024. Homes with vegan residents saw a smaller rise, from 2.2% to 2.6%.
• Projections estimate that by 2031, up to 4% of care home residents aged 65+ could be vegetarian, and 0.7% could be vegan, possibly equating to over 13,000 vegetarians and 2,400 vegans needing tailored meals and care provisions.

The Equality Act 2010 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 emphasise the legal and ethical obligation for care providers to respect residents’ dietary preferences, including those with cognitive decline.

You can read more in our report here.