Here are the tallies and comments from the recent food survey. Because the significance of some answers varies if the respondent is vegetarian (or not), tallies for each answer are shown separately for the the two groups, along with the totals. For the purposes of this survey, "vegetarian" is defined as someone who either omitted the questions in the non-vegetarian section, OR declared themselves vegetarian or vegan in write-in comments. Some results I found particularly interesting, in view of some of the conjecture that I have heard stated: 1. Most non-vegetarians felt vegetarian meals did not, and could not, support their dietary needs. 2. NO vegetarians had a problem with meat preparation in the same kitchen. (one thought it should be done at a different time) 3. Beef was the LEAST popular protein source (fish the most). 4. Two vegetarians wanted fish and/or poultry in their diet. 5. One vegetarian found meat irresistably tempting. :-) I hope these results may be helpful towards meeting the summer camp mission statement objectives of compassion and genuine equality via the planning of future meal offerings. A digest of these returns, with values expressed in percentages, preceeds the actual tallies in case you find the tallies difficult to make practical sense of from just pure counts. - Steven =========================================================================== Summer Camp Food Survey Results Digest Of ALL campers responding to the survey (37): 54% are not vegetarian by choice 43% say their needs are not fully supported by the camp diet 30% say their needs are not ADEQUATELY supported by the camp diet 30% say their needs CANNOT be supported by vegetarian fare only To feel fully supported: 41% need non-vegetarian dishes at least 1-2 times per week (75% of non-vegetarians) 32% need non-vegetarian dishes at least 1 meal / 2 days (60% of non-vegetarians) 22% need non-vegetarian dishes at least 1 meal / day (40% of non-vegetarians) 8% need non-vegetarian dishes at every meal (15% of non-vegetarians) To feel ADEQUATELY supported: 38% need non-vegetarian dishes at least 1-2 times per week (70% of non-vegetarians) 14% need non-vegetarian dishes at least 1 meal / 2 days (25% of non-vegetarians) 8% need non-vegetarian dishes at least 1 meal / day (15% of non-vegetarians) 5% need non-vegetarian dishes at least 2 meals / day (10% of non-vegetarians) 3% need non-vegetarian dishes at every meal (5% of non-vegetarians) 59% would like fish served at camp (100% of non-vegetarians!) 46% would like chicken served at camp 30% would like shellfish served at camp 27% would like pork served at camp 22% would like beef served at camp Of non-vegetarians responding to the survey (20): 90% would be satisfied by canned sources (like the 2001 tuna) 85% would be satisfied by frozen ingredients 80% would be satisfied by a mix of canned, frozen, and fresh 65% would be satisfied by complete frozen dishes 10% would be satisfied by fresh ingredients ONLY (but 100% would find them preferable) Of vegetarians responding to the survey (17): 6% feel non-vegetarian foods should not be prepared at the same time AND same kitchen as vegetarian ones 0% feel a totally separate kitchen is needed (if dishes are prepared at separate times) =========================================================================== =========================================================================== Summer Camp Food Survey Results (full) Veg Non total =========================================================================== Responses 17 20 37 Did you feel the vegetarian-only meals fully supported your dietary needs? yes 16 5 21 no 1 15 16 Did you feel the vegetarian-only meals ADEQUATELY supported your dietary needs? yes 2 7 9 no 0 11 11 COULD your needs be fully supported by strictly vegetarian fare? yes 2 7 9 no 0 11 11 What vegetarian offerings would need to be added for you to feel fully supported? Fat/oil-free salad dressing 1 - 1 Cheese, egg, other dairy, ice cream - 2 2 Lots of tofu, protein powder - 1 1 not possible - 2 2 What vegetarian offerings would need to be added for you to feel ADEQUATELY supported? Fat/oil-free salad dressing 1 - 1 Cheese and egg - 2 2 Yogurt and butter - 1 1 Lots of tofu, protein powder - 2 2 Tofu, tempeh, black beans, garbanzos - 1 1 ******************** NON-VEGETARIANS ONLY ******************** How often would non-vegetarian dishes need to be served for you to feel fully supported? every meal - 3 3 1 meal / day - 5 5 1 meal / 2 days - 4 4 1-2 meals / week - 3 3 How often would non-vegetarian dishes need to be served for you to feel ADEQUATELY supported? every meal - 1 1 2 meals / day - 1 1 1 meal / day - 1 1 1 meal / 2 days - 2 2 1-2 meals / week - 9 9 adequate as it was - 1 1 Which of these items would help to meet your needs? (check any that you would eat - double check any that are IMPORTANT in your diet): beef - 8 8 pork - 10 10 poultry 1 16(3) 17(3) fish 2 20(4) 22(4) shellfish 1 10 11 other (squid) - 1 1 other (egg & tuna salads like sc01) - 1 1 (Tallies in parentheses () represent those who double-checked the item) Regarding sources for non-vegetarian dishes: Would pre-prepared frozen dishes be adequate? yes - 13 13 if containing adequate protein (most don't) - 1 1 no - 4 4 Would canned ingredients (like the tuna served last year) be adequate? yes - 18 18 no - 0 0 Would frozen ingredients be adequate? yes - 17 17 no - 1 1 Would a mix of canned and frozen ingredients be adequate? yes - 16 16 no - 1 1 not sure - 1 1 Would a mix of fresh, canned and frozen ingredients be adequate? yes - 16 16 no - 0 0 not sure - 2 2 Would ONLY fresh ingredients need to be used? yes - 2 2 no - 16 16 ******************** VEGETARIANS/VEGANS ONLY ******************** As it is now, vegan dishes are prepared in the same kitchen as non-vegan dishes, but the vegan requirements are observed for the preparation of those dishes. Assuming the same level of knowledge and care regarding the preparation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes is exercised: Would your needs be met if non-vegetarian dishes were prepared in the same kitchen at the same time? yes 13 - 13 no 1 1 2 Would your needs be met if non-vegetarian dishes were prepared in the same kitchen at the same time, but by a separate staff? yes 13 - 13 no 1 1 2 Would your needs be met if non-vegetarian dishes were prepared in the same kitchen at a different time? yes 14 - 14 no 0 1 1 Would your needs be met if non-vegetarian dishes were prepared in a totally separate kitchen? yes 14 1 15 no 0 - 0 Would your needs be met if non-vegetarian dishes were catered (prepared off-site)? yes 14 1 15 no 0 - 0 If you said no to all of the above... - - 0 =========================================================================== WRITE-IN COMMENTS: =========================================================================== I have a preference that accepted procedures are followed to ensure "public health" (like those, I imagine, a restaurant has to follow). I have a preference that the meat is "cruelty free", i.e. not from factory farms. Thanx for tackling this controversial issue (& my sympathy :-) There is a real opportunity here to clear up the one part of camp that fosters bad attitudes and makes people feel like they are not being treated equally. Just need to make sure that stuff didn't run out. It seemed as if the really good dishes were gone if you were at the end of the line. Maybe [there could be] a little more variety. Please let's not have a fight like last year over where food is prepared. The non-vegetarians were off in that little hut with the mice. I would have preferred to have an option of animal protein about once or twice a week. Could be something as simple as (dolphin-safe) tuna salad or sandwiches. If "the group" is going to view me as insensitive or evil or noncompasionate because I require flesh in my diet - I don't want to be there. I'm not willing to subject myself to the harassment of individual members of the group, as I have been in the past regarding this matter. I am fundamentally an omnivorous animal, able to survive and thrive on a wide variety of diet. It is only the luxury of abundance that allows me to be choosy.. In summer camp, I like to be challenged by what is provided. Among the challenges is that I can fast to a certain extent if I don't like some of the food. I understand that others feel differently and may suffer injury to their well-being by a change in their diet. [Non-vegetarian dishes need to be served] Once or twice a week. Hollyhock Center does this, and I spent 2 weeks there and didn't feel deprived. (They do "fish on Thursday and sometimes oyster barbecue on Sunday if red tide allows".) [I make a sausage dish using] Gimme Lean veggie sausage, which has a similar taste and texture and still fills out the taste space with a meaty bit. I think most carnivores would find that nearly as satisfying as the meat version. It's really a question of getting high protein once in a while. I read of a guy who went to study in a Japanese zen monastery that was strictly veg. He got sick after a few weeks. The doctor who examined him prescribed that he go to the local Makudonarudo (McDonalds :-) and have a burger once a week. It worked. I think one factor to consider is the *change* in diet that people experience coming to camp. Someone who eats meat twice a day every day may have difficulty adjusting to a mostly or completely veg diet. It takes a while for the digestive tract to recalibrate itself. Someone (like me) who is eating veg several days a week anyway might have an easier time. Anyway, I don't think adding some meat dishes should be viewed as giving up on vegetarianism, but more as inviting people towards it while still recognizing their present state and easing the transition. Down with gastro-fascism! I love Summer Camp! The food is great! And so are the people who prepare it! It would be nice to have fish on occasion during camp (perhaps over salad for example) While I am basically vegetarian and have been for years, I do eat meat if it's sustainable/organic/humanely treated, etc. If the camp is going to start serving meat, would it be possible to apply the same wonderfully high standards that are currently applied to the vegetarian meals? I know it's expensive, but so is veggie organic. Good luck resolving these challenging issues. I am persuaded that a relatively high protein diet is optimal for human health and nutrition. I subscribe to the dietary theories of Dr. Sears' Zone diet, Dr. Atkins' Atkins Diet, and Dr. Eades' Protein Power diet. All three advocate a diet relatively high in protein and fat but extremely low in carbohydrates compared to the typical vegetarian diet. I could supply my own protein in the form of protein powder or canned tuna if the base meal provided salad, veggies, and a few carbohydrates life fruits or gains. Although this compromise would get old after a week or two. It's a matter of...getting enough protein. The easiest way to do this is by eating meat. I generally eat meat, or eggs, or tofu at every meal with just a tiny little bit of carbohydrate food along with it. Thanks for asking! I thought the food was great Sometimes it feels that the "fussiest" eaters get fussed over - to me, I think that in a group situation it works best if everyone is a little more flexible. The food was too radically different for [my child]. Also that is the age of the kids when they eat only 3 foods anyway. It would have been great to have some more standard food: frozen pizza would have been great. Plain chicken or chicken nuggets. Regular pancakes. [There should be] enough food at each meal so that there is no worry about coming late or being at the end of the line. I must say that having enough protein to fully support the diet is not the same as supporting my values. I would volunteer to cook meat for one or two meals for the camp while there. I also suggust that perhaps Heaven on Earth may be willing to provide a simple solution like grilled chicken. It takes my system time to get used to so many grains and vegies...it freaks for awhile. I would rather not have the meat served at the same buffet table. Thing is, I get tempted if it's offered to me, and I'd rather not be tempted. I'd like it if the meat eaters got their food from a different table in a different part of the room or building, and if they would also eat at separate tables set aside especially for them. I'd rather not smell the meat while I'm picking up my food or while I'm eating it. Thanks for doing this, you kind thoughtful folks... Thanks for asking, I love you all. And I am so glad I am involved with such a great considerate group. I like us eating together so would prefer that food was ready at the same time. Thanks so much Steven for taking this on! I would describe myself as being "primarily vegetarian." I eat butter and milk chocolate and fish occasionally, and turkey or chicken less often, and pork or beef only when it is organic (a standard I wish I were applying to the fish and fowl as well). I am an omnivore whose dietary needs are fully supported by vegan/vegetarian meals. I loved the food at SC. I would probably refrain from eating meat at SC. I like and respect the practice of serving veggie meals and the vision of peace and non-violence it represents [...but] I have no strong objections to meat being served at SC. I would like to see [animal protein] served that is raised in line with the highest healthful and ethical practices (i.e., organic eggs, milk products, and meats) [...or] offer none at all. I also would not care to pay more for food so that some people can have meat. The same standards applied to selection of veggie ingredients should be applied to any meat served at SC. Needs, yes! [The menu] often surpasses my every expectation. But I would like some more chicken. [Ed note: I suspect this person did not realize the roast chicken at SC01 was brought in by campers] Adequate wheat-free items [should be served] at each meal. Tempeh is real good, tofu, soy milk (prefer the low-sugar varieties) Black beans, garbanzos. Rice is always good. Other grains, tubers, vegetables. Don't cook anything with wheat flour unless there is an adequate substitute using spelt or other flour. Don't use wheat-containing soysauce. Check everything for ingredients BEFORE adding to the menu, and label adequately. [I] don't eat hamburger or ground meat such as sausage, unless it is organic or free range. Thanks for all the effort you have put into this for us. I suspect that the...people that are truly carnivorous...will start to show deprivation symptoms [in] 2 days if no animal protein is present. I have been in a long-term relationship with someone who is like this. And she really would like to be vegetarian. =========================================================================== End of survey results ===========================================================================