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Vegetarian for Life and the Care Inspectorate have collaborated to produce guidance on good care for vegans and vegetarians.

The Health and Social Care Standards set out what people should expect when using health, social care or social work services in Scotland. The standards have been developed to make these services better for everyone so that every person is treated with respect and dignity, and their human rights are upheld.

The guidance in Good care for vegetarians and vegans will be useful for inspectors to inform an inspection and for care services looking for best practice points.

Our Gourmet Vegan guide is designed for care home chefs looking to enhance their menus. This guide offers a range of vegan recipes and techniques suited for fine dining in care settings. From flavourful plant-based entrées to indulgent desserts, you'll find practical ways to meet your residents’ dietary needs and preferences.

These menu cards are designed to be used to aid and encourage residents to prepare their own snacks with staff support, to help promote choice and independence.

The pack contains 14 simple, quick recipe cards which use minimal equipment. They could also be used as a care home cookery activity. You’ll also find a food growing card in the pack – an easy, fun project to do with your care home residents.

Please allow 28 days for delivery.

This vegan and vegetarian care home menu book was created to assist people in the care sector to communicate with their residents. The book is designed to help residents to express their menu preferences if communication is a challenge.
By being able to point at dishes, residents can make clear choices about their meal selection and have more control over what they are eating.

Issue number 3 of our popular 48 page yearbook magazine. Vintage contains numerous features, one-off interviews and articles, and is designed to be kept and used throughout the year. 

Included in issue #3:

  • Fab finger foods
  • Activities to support older veg*ns
  • Why and how to make a will
  • Vegetarianism in WWI
  • Top tips for vegan baking

Cosy up in the kitchen this season with our special Autumn Recipe Bundle. Whether you're after hearty one-pot meals, plant-based twists on classic dishes, or delicious vegan bakes, this collection has it all.

What’s included:

  1. NEW One-pot meals guide – Easy, comforting recipes that save time and washing up.
  2. Veganising classic dishes – Enjoy all your favourite comfort foods, made 100% plant-based.
  3. Vegan baking guide – Indulge in tasty, cruelty-free treats perfect for autumn.

Enhance your autumn cooking with these simple and satisfying recipes. Grab your bundle today and enjoy the best of the season!

Please allow up to 28 days for delivery. 

A guide to catering for people with allergies, intolerances, and religious, philosophical and cultural dietary beliefs 

This colourful 40-page guide is designed to make it easier to cater for any service users who require a ‘free-from’ or ‘special’ diet. It will introduce the various reasons people may need, or want, to exclude certain foods from their diet. At the back of the guide is a collection of recipes suitable for a variety of these dietary requirements.


Comprehensive coverage of:

 

  • the major allergens
  • religious, philosophical and cultural dietary requirements
  • how veganism is protected by the law
  • top 10 gluten-free products
  • top 10 vegan products
  • best practice in ethical dilemmas – including when a vegetarian service user asks for meat
  • fortification agents for special diets
  • gluten- and soya-free meat alternatives.

With allergen-labelling throughout.

Three of our most popular advice and recipe guides for those looking to create simple, tasty dishes that won't break the bank or take a long time to make. Featuring:

1) Cooking For One a recipe guide specially created for senior vegans or vegetarians who cook for themselves. Includes advice on nutrition, a sample menu planner, and a guide to useful equipment.

2) Cooking on a Budget a 32 page guide packed with practical tips on smart shopping and creating dishes with cheaper ingredients. Includes advice on savvy shopping, planning, and storing food.

3) Take V one of our most popular guides, each recipe contains only 5 ingredients and is quick and easy to make. 

  • Listing on VfL’s Supplier Directory on both websites
  • Use of new ‘VfL Featured Supplier’ logo
  • Trust and reassurance for current and potential care home groups
  • Unlimited access to VfL’s care catering for older vegetarians and vegans webinar training series
  • 150 word description on each website – for care operators and vegetarians to source your products
  • One cookery demo product placement (these demos reached 40k people last year)
  • Social media welcome as a new featured supplier membership
  • Pinned recipe (one off that stays towards the top of the search) on the recipes page
  • Receive the quarterly eBites newsletter
  • Receive a copy of the annual yearbook Vintage

A comprehensive guide showing how to use vegan, dairy-free alternatives to fortify food with calories and protein.

This colourful 24-page guide equips caterers with the knowledge they need to fortify foods for someone following a vegan or milk-free diet.

Packed with recipes, including light meals, mains, puddings, snacks and drinks, there are plenty of ideas and inspiration for fortifying dishes without dairy.

You’ll find the calories and protein calculated for each recipe; a table of protein-rich ingredients that can be used to fortify foods; and ideas for dairy-free fortification of snacks and drinks.

Chef Ollie Bragg who developed the recipes said: “Ensuring residents get enough calories and protein when appetite is low can be tricky. This can seem even more challenging when your go-to dairy fortification methods can’t be used. These delicious recipes will show you how to increase calories without compromising on taste.”

This vegetarian/vegan resource has been developed for use with people living in residential or nursing care. There are four food-related topics with specially designed symbols: 

  • Values
  • Lifestyle
  • My Dietary Choice
  • My Eating Experience

For more information about vegetarian and vegan Talking Mats, visit Talking Mats | Vegetarian for Life.

Foundation training with the vegetarian and vegan card resource.

Following purchase, we will be in touch with you via email to arrange a training date. Certificate issued on successful completion.

Five engaging 30-minute online seminars that you can watch and replay at your leisure.

This informative, introductory course has been created by VfL’s team of expert chefs to help you attain excellence in vegan and vegetarian care catering.

The training features five dedicated modules and guidance on catering for the veg*ns and meat-reducers in your care.

Topics covered include: What vegans eat and don’t eat; plant–based protein sources; cooking with meat alternatives and dairy alternatives; vegan baking; dietary diversity and vegan fortification. Each module includes easy-to-follow recipe videos with some fantastic, tasty recipes for you to introduce in your care home menu.

Your team will have access to complete the training at a time that suits them. All that they’ll need is a laptop and internet connection. We know that getting cover in the kitchen for your catering staff can be a challenge – and this online training solves that issue. The full course takes about 2.5 hours to complete, but doesn’t have to be completed in one go.

A certificate will be gained on completion.

 

For bulk training options for your care establishment, please consider Vegetarian for Life's Premium Accredited Membership package.

  • 11oz ceramic mug.
  • Glossy white finish.
  • Dishwasher and microwave safe.
  • 11oz ceramic mug.
  • Glossy white finish.
  • Dishwasher and microwave safe.
  • 11oz ceramic mug.
  • Glossy white finish.
  • Dishwasher and microwave safe.
  • 11oz ceramic mug.
  • Glossy white finish.
  • Dishwasher and microwave safe.
  • 11oz ceramic mug.
  • Glossy white finish.
  • Dishwasher and microwave safe.

Only 1 left in stock!

Discover the simplicity and flavour of plant-based cooking with our collection of one-pot meals. These delicious recipes require minimal prep and clean up, letting you enjoy more time for yourself or with your loved ones.

Please allow 28 days for delivery.

Proudly identify yourself as a vegan with this small pin badge. Designed to assist memory recollection for people living with dementia, and to aid carers to identify vegans at mealtimes.

- Strong enamel in gold-effect
- Green colour
- Light and not intrusive
- Size: 18mm
- Butterfly clasp

Proudly identify yourself as a vegetarian with this small pin badge. Designed to assist memory recollection for people living with dementia, and to aid carers to identify vegetarians at mealtimes.

- Strong enamel in silver-effect
- Lilac colour
- Light and not intrusive
- Size: 18mm
- Butterfly clasp

The definitive bundle of the absolute best seasonal recipes we have produced. Featuring 5 distinct and diverse recipe guides that bring together some of the most popular dishes from some of the most popular festivities throughout the calendar year. Included are:

1) Celebrate Burns Night and Valentine's Day 

2) Celebrate St David's Day 

3) Easter Treats 

4) A Taste of South East Asia 

5) Festive Delights 

**Please use the drop-down menu above to select which national version of the guide you would like**

Are you confident about protecting your vegan or vegetarian identity and beliefs – now and in the future?

VfL's self-advocacy pack outlines the laws that safeguard dignity and choices in care. It details the steps you can take to ensure that you are cared for in line with your beliefs.

  • Understand your rights as a vegan or vegetarian.
  • Where to access support and information (care homes, legal, nutrition).
  • Step-by-step guide to ensuring that your rights are respected in case of loss of capacity or cognition or when receiving care.
  • Template letters to use if admitted to hospital or receiving care.

Proudly identify yourself as a vegan with this comfortable yet durable wristband. Designed to assist memory recollection for people living with dementia, and to aid carers to identify vegans at mealtimes.

- Easy to put on and take off
- Green colour
- Light and not intrusive
- Strong silicone
- Inset text for longevity

Proudly identify yourself as a vegetarian with this comfortable yet durable wristband. Designed to assist memory recollection for people living with dementia, and to aid carers to identify vegetarians at mealtimes.

- Easy to put on and take off
- Lilac colour
- Light and not intrusive
- Strong silicone
- Inset text for longevity

When planted under a thin layer of soil, these colourful birthday cards will sprout into wildflowers after 10 days. Proceeds from the sale of this card support VfL's vital work.

Made from seed card, a post-consumer paper waste and 100% biodegradable seed-embedded card and printed with vegan-friendly inks.

Card size: 10.5cm x 14.6cm

Embossed envelope size: 11.4cm x 16.2cm

Material: 100% cotton.*

  • Pre-shrunk.
  • Seamless twin needle collar.
  • Taped neck and shoulders.
  • Twin needle sleeves and hem.
  • Tubular body.

Most Gildan products are manufactured with two labels in the neck, but only one can be removed when a printed label is opted for. The second label contains the required legal information so it has to remain unremoved.

Weight: 

  • White 193gsm.
  • Colours 203gsm.

*Ash 99% cotton/1% polyester.

**Dark Heather, Heather Cardinal and Heather Navy 50% cotton/50% polyester.

***Sport grey 90% cotton/10% polyester.

Material: 80% ringspun cotton/20% polyester.

  • Drop shoulder style.
  • Stylish fit.
  • Soft cotton faced fabric.
  • Taped neck.
  • Ribbed collar, cuffs and hem.
  • Twin needle stitching.
  • WRAP Certified Production.

 

Weight: 280 gsm

Material: 80% ringspun cotton/20% polyester.

  • Drop shoulder style.
  • Stylish fit.
  • Soft cotton faced fabric.
  • Taped neck.
  • Ribbed collar, cuffs and hem.
  • Twin needle stitching.
  • WRAP Certified Production.

 

Weight: 280 gsm

Material: 80% ringspun cotton/20% polyester.

  • Drop shoulder style
  • Stylish fit.
  • Soft cotton faced fabric.
  • Taped neck.
  • Ribbed collar, cuffs and hem.
  • Twin needle stitching.
  • WRAP Certified Production.

 

Weight: 280 gsm

Material: 80% ringspun cotton/20% polyester.

  • Drop shoulder style.
  • Stylish fit.
  • Soft cotton faced fabric.
  • Taped neck.
  • Ribbed collar, cuffs and hem.
  • Twin needle stitching.
  • WRAP Certified Production.

 

Weight: 280 gsm

Material: 80% ringspun cotton/20% polyester.

  • Drop shoulder style.
  • Stylish fit.
  • Soft cotton faced fabric.
  • Taped neck.
  • Ribbed collar, cuffs and hem.
  • Twin needle stitching.
  • WRAP Certified Production.

 

Weight: 280 gsm

A special V for Life ball-point pen with a handy double-sided pull-out. The pull-out details some essential information on what vegetarians and vegans choose not to eat, and the food groups that should be included in a weekly food plan.

Black ink.

Material: 100% soft touch acrylic.*

  • Double layer knit.
  • Cuffed design for optimal decoration.

 

*Heather 55% polyester/45% acrylic

Discover how to create a range of tasty vegan bakes – from light, airy sponges, to traditional puddings, and eggless meringue.

Essential facts and inspiring recipes for those who cater for older vegans

If you are about to begin catering for an older vegan person you might be feeling slightly apprehensive and have many questions running through your mind. We have put together this Vegan Rescue Pack to support you. We're sure that in no time at all you will feel confident and become a happy vegan cook!

Primary Audience:

  • Chefs working in the care sector
  • Community carers working in domiciliary care
  • People looking after an older family member
  • People who are keen to cater well for an increasingly diverse range of diets
  • Individual older vegans

Includes an overview of veganism, nutritional advice, store cupboard essentials, a vegan 4-week menu planner and recipes covering breakfast, mains and dessert. 

A collection of vegan and vegetarian recipes, perfect for vegans, vegetarians or those with egg or milk allergies, who need a texture-modified diet.

Vegetarian for Life’s chefs have developed this guide to help you cater for any vegan or vegetarian residents who need a texture-modified diet. The guide has a range of recipes made to different IDDSI levels, including breakfast options, soups, main meals, and puddings. 

Fourteen tasty, traditional and classic dishes to inspire those new to vegan catering. 

Featuring a wide variety of classic recipes that have been 'veganised', from Cottage Pie to Moussaka, from Lancashire Hotpot to Eton Mess. Catering for people with vegan diets doesn't have to mean learning strange and complicated new dishes. With a few substitutions and easy techniques perfected by our own professional chef team, you can adopt some traditional favourites with ease. 

Keep hold of important documents, cards, money or work passes with our Vegetarian for Life printed lanyards. Includes a keyring to make it practical for frequent use.