The Vegetarian Society - Fish Campaign 2003 Press Releases

Press Releases

August 2003

Vegetarianism – There’s nothing fishy about it!

This summer The Vegetarian Society is launching a brand new campaign to improve awareness amongst caterers and restaurateurs that vegetarians don’t eat fish!

The ‘Fishconception’ Campaign has been developed in response to a common experience reported by many vegetarians trying to order vegetarian food in omnivorous restaurants. Surprisingly, significant numbers of food-trade establishments are labouring under the misconception that vegetarians eat fish. Clearly this myth needs to be debunked, so The Vegetarian Society, a registered educational charity is taking the helm and steering caterers in the right direction.

The Vegetarian Society is taking a two finned approach, firstly with a light hearted advertising campaign in food trade press and, secondly, by encouraging direct customer feedback to eateries whose staff don’t know their veggies from their pesky-vores! That some people seem to be under the illusion that a fish is a vegetable brings to mind the classic Panorama Spaghetti Harvest April Fool of 1957. This provided the inspiration behind the ‘Fishconception’ Campaign, and will, hopefully, raise a few chuckles as well as awareness of the needs of vegetarian consumers.

The Vegetarian Society understands that many people are uncomfortable talking to restaurant staff (or even friends and relatives), about their dietary needs. After all nobody wants to be thought of as awkward or confrontational. To help, we have produced a set of wallet-sized cards giving the definition of vegetarianism and details about the free caterers’ advice and recipe packs available from The Vegetarian Society. These cards can be given to the chef or manager, or left discreetly on the table.

To obtain your free set of cards please email fishcampaign@vegsoc.org or phone The Vegetarian Society Events Officer on 0161 925 2030. Tell us if you are a caterer and we will also send you our new caterers pack and some inspirational recipes.

Notes for editors

FISH – “a cold blooded animal, living wholly in water” (Oxford English Dictionary)

The official launch of the Fishconception Campaign will take place on Tuesday August 12th with a fun photo opportunity and results of The Vegetarian Society Survey - ‘Caterers Fishconceptions’. Please contact Kerry or Liz in The Press Office on 0161 925 2012/3 if you would like a press invite. An interesting array of fishless foods will also be available for sampling, courtesy of Redwoods Wholefoods.

Photographs featured in the advertising campaign and images of the ‘Fishconceptions’ calling cards are available from Kerry in the Press Office on 0161 925 2012, email kerry@vegsoc.org

Outside office hours The Vegetarian Society Press Office can be contacted on 07973 108 165. Alternatively visit the website for information about vegetarian nutrition, products, eateries, cookery courses and recipes at www.vegsoc.org

The Vegetarian Society defines a vegetarian as a person who eats no meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea. Vegetarians also avoid the by-products of slaughter such as gelatine or animal rennet in cheese. The Society only approves products containing eggs when they are free-range.

For more information about Redwoods Wholefoods ‘Making Waves’ fish-free products please contact Tracy Williams on 01225 723237.

To find out more about why vegetarians don’t eat fish please visit PETA’s informative website, www.fishinghurts.com

Date for your diary: NATIONAL VEGETARIAN WEEK 2004 : May 24th – 30th

Press Officer press@vegsoc.org
For the latest Vegetarian Society press releases visit www.vegsoc.org
The Vegetarian Society
Direct line - 0161 925 2012
Fax 0161 926 9182
Registered Charity: 259358

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