Sustainability is a growing priority in the food industry, particularly in the hospitality sector. Vegetarian food has long been recognized as a more sustainable choice, offering environmental benefits while ensuring nutritional value. Historically, Indian diets were predominantly plant-based, mainly due to limited refrigeration and food storage options. However, with advancements in technology and changing lifestyles, food consumption patterns have evolved, increasing demand for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods and raising concerns about long-term sustainability.

Changing Food Consumption Trends

Changing Food Consumption Trends Food consumption in India was fairly sustainable before the 1980s, as perishable items were purchased in small quantities, and non-vegetarian food storage was uncommon in society. The introduction of refrigeration drastically changed food habits, allowing both households and the hospitality industry to store larger quantities and increasing overall food consumption.

One example of this shift is observed in seafood demand. Until the early 1980s, white pomfret was fairly available, but by the early 2000s, its high demand led to scarcity. Hotels and restaurants adapted by switching to black pomfret, which remained available for about a decade before als› becoming difficult to source. This led to the adoption of Indian Basa, a cultivated river fish that is affordable, widely available, and a more sustainable option for the hospitality industry while the white Pomfret fish remained as a costly commodity and difficult to source in large quantity.

Benefits of Vegetarian Food as a sustainable one

The hospitality industry plays a significant role in promoting sustainable food choices, with plant-based options offering various environmental advantages:

• Reduced Carbon Footprint

› A vegetarian diet produces significantly fewer carbon emissions than meat-based diets.
› Vegan diets, which exclude all animal products, further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
› Transitioning to a plant-based diet can cut an individual’s food-related carbon footprint by over 50% (approx.)

• Efficient Land Use

› Meat production requires large amounts of land for grazing and growing animal feed.
› Plant-based diets utilize significantly less land, helping conserve natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

• Water Conservation

› Raising livestock demands vast amounts of water for drinking, feed production, and cleaning.
› Plant-based diets require substantially less water, making them a more sustainable choice.

• Higher Energy Efficiency

› The process of converting plants into animal-based food is highly energy-intensive.
› Eating plant-based foods directly allows for better energy conservation, as nutrients are consumed at the source.

• Health Advantages

› Plant-based diets are naturally lower in saturated fats and cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease.
› They are rich in fibre, which supports digestion and helps prevent diabetes, kidney stones, and certain types of cancer.

• Encouraging Sustainable Food Choices in Hospitality

The hospitality industry can significantly contribute to sustainability by promoting plant-based and locally sourced food options:

• Seasonal and Locally Sourced Produce
› Reduces transportation emissions and supports regional farmers.

• Plant-Based Protein Alternatives
› Includes options like legumes, tofu, and nuts, which are environmentally friendly and nutritious.

• Whole Grains and Fiber-Rich Foods
› Choices such as lentils, beans, and whole grains provide sustainable sources of essential nutrients.

• Nutrient-Dense Green Vegetables
› Leafy greens are highly beneficial for health and have a lower environmental impact.

• Sustainable Storage and Minimal Waste Practices
› Efficient food storage, waste reduction strategies, and minimal processing help maintain sustainability in food operations.

My Views
The shift toward sustainable vegetarian food in the hospitality industry is essential for reducing environmental impact and promoting long-term food security. By adopting plant-based food options, conserving resources, and supporting local produce, hotels and restaurants can lead the way in creating a more sustainable future while providing nutritious and delicious meals for consumers.

I reached my Hometown Jatni on 1st September 2022, to meet my ailing mother. She was suffering from a deadly disease since3 years. But she had an amazingly fighting quality and a high will power & power of tolerance. She never expressed her pain that she had underwent during her last 1 year. The pain was terrible that we can perceive. I think everyone cannot understand from her expression and talks that she was suffering so badly. Only very few close blood relations can understand her sufferings during her ailing days. For her (my mother), all her ailing days and nights are same as she kept calling Liku and Babu. The last 03 years have seen few attendants in our Jatni home. The attendants have served my mother and father significantly during their last period. We must acknowledge their services. Most of us forget those, who served us during our need. I think those people are God sent and we in many occasions fail to recognise them and their services. We only identify their faults.

On 1st September evening when I went to see my mother who was sleeping by then. After one hour she woke up and saw me. I could see happiness in her expression. She was not in a position to talk. Little liquid diet being fed through the rice tube. I could sense that her condition deteriorated badly. For last 02 years I have been watching Bou’s (mother’s) condition going from bad to worse. It was a frequent question within me during my every visit to Jatni that if it was my last visit to my mother. I was wishing sincerely that if my mother passes away then she should breathe her last in my presence and it happened too as lord Jagannath granted my desire.

Mother passed away on 8th September 2022 at 7-30am. From 31st August 2022 evening onwards her voice was not clear. Whatever she was saying was difficult to understand, perhaps the voice was paralysed. In the evening, 5th of September 2022, I came, hold her hands and asked few things about herself and her health. She started talking to me nonstop for (5-10) minutes as if she was advising me something that I should follow. Her Voice was very straight, authoritative but not clear. I could not understand her. I was quietly trying to understand the meaning of her talks but failed. She could understand that I am struggling to understand her advices. She looked disappointingly at me and I too felt helpless. She probably knew that she is approaching her Journey end in this world.

But I was trying decode seriously those lines that Bou told me in the evening of 5thSepember 2022. I am dead sure that she was telling to take care of myself, the house in Jatni and others in family as she would leave the world very soon. Exactly from that 5th September 2022, Bou’s activities became extremely slow. Her eating, reactions, intermittently talks have slowed down significantly. She continuously slept from 6th September night onwards for her long, never ending sleep. I was little apprehensive regarding the no reaction from Bou. But she was breathing long and struggling with eyes closed. On the 8th September early morning I was curious and suspicious regarding the no response from Bou. I called younger brother n his wife. They too looked worried to see Bou in this condition. The last 30 minutes (8th September2022, 7-30am to 8am) was probably the Moment of truth. The breathing became faster and longer and I was watching that standing silently near my mother. Bou lies silently on her bed. I can’t describe that whether it was a grief or a sense of spiritual feeling that the soul of mother is mingling with the Paramatma. After sometimes everything fell silent. We could understand silently that Moment of truth. Also I could understand that many persons in their departing moment probably become incapable of expressing their last desires.Is it the rule of world?

Does every departing soul can’t talk voice properly or express his or her last desire properly? So I feel everyone should try to express his/her desire in advance in written form so that his/her desires may be taken care, possibly by someone. Even if it’s not taken care, hopefully it will be understood by few people. I hope that I will get few signals from any source regarding the Bou’s last advice to me. I am still trying to decode the advice of my mother.