Climate change, deforestation, and chronic disease. On the surface, these may seem like separate global crises. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a surprising common thread running through them all—what’s on our plate.
Most people don’t associate healthcare companies with climate action. And even fewer expect that action to begin in the cafeteria.
But Carelon Global Solutions, formerly known as Legato, is changing that. In April 2025, this multinational healthcare services provider launched “Plant-Powered Days” in partnership with the Green Tuesday Initiative, introducing fully plant-based meals in its office cafeterias once a month.
It’s a shift rooted in science, care, and urgency—and it’s just the beginning.
Extending Care from People to the Planet
Carelon’s climate action wasn’t limited to a menu change. It came alive through a series of hands-on, face-to-face interactions across its offices in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Gurugram.
In June, representatives from the Green Tuesday Initiative visited Carelon’s offices in Hyderabad, Gurugram, and Bengaluru to engage employees directly. Bhavya Vatrapu, Vasundhara Pandey, and Sowndarya Ganesan led floor-by-floor conversations that turned everyday workspaces into learning spaces.
Through interactive games and quick quizzes, the team sparked curiosity about how our food choices impact the environment, sharing eye-opening facts about land use, water waste, and emissions tied to animal agriculture.
Many of them were surprised by the fact that producing 1 litre of milk requires approximately 600 litres of water. One of the employees shared, “Earlier, I thought switching to plant-based food was only about ethics or health. But today’s session helped me understand its impact on the planet as well.”
The Impact of a Single Meal Shift
This shift isn’t symbolic, it’s measurable.
With just one fully plant-based meal service per month, Carelon is projected to reduce 1,46,880 kilograms of animal products, prevent 1.5 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, and save over 221 million litres of water each year.
“The conversations we had with Carelon employees were thoughtful, curious, and full of energy. When companies make sustainability engaging and relatable, like Carelon has, real culture change becomes possible.”
— Sowndarya Ganesan, Senior Campaign Specialist, India & Vietnam, Green Tuesday Initiative
A Model for Meaningful Change
Carelon’s decision to rethink what gets served in its cafeterias shows that climate action doesn’t have to be distant, complicated, or disruptive. It can start with something as familiar and unassuming as a lunch tray.
With plans to increase the frequency of Plant-Powered Days and host more in-office engagement events, Carelon is demonstrating how corporate spaces can lead the way in normalizing climate-friendly food choices.
And as more companies begin to connect the dots between food, health, and the environment, one thing is clear—caring for the planet starts with what we put on our plates.
Interested in bringing the Green Tuesday Initiative to your campus or company? Contact us to get started.
