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.

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The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place on Earth Day at BSR Tech Park, symbolizing a shared commitment to building a healthier future for people and the planet.

The Green Tuesday Initiative partners with corporations and institutions to help reduce their environmental footprint through simple changes in food choices. By introducing more plant-based options even one day a week, companies can create meaningful positive impacts for the planet and public health. So far, the initiative has helped partner organizations collectively reduce over 7 million kilograms of high-carbon-footprint food and conserve more than 13 billion liters of freshwater every year.

Through this partnership, Stellantis Digital Hub is projected to significantly reduce its environmental footprint by encouraging employees to choose more plant-based meals once a week. This shift is expected to lower 60,477  kilograms of carbon emissions annually, the equivalent of driving a Jeep from Kanyakumari to Leh about 68 times. It is also projected to conserve around 8,262,800 liters of freshwater each year, enough to provide bucket baths for the entire population of Mangalore. This measurable impact reflects Stellantis Digital Hub’s commitment to advancing sustainability and promoting healthier choices in the workplace.

“Stellantis is shaping the future of mobility with innovative and sustainable solutions. But our goals go beyond mobility — we have ambitious decarbonization strategies, and we are happy to support the Green Tuesday Initiative implemented by BSR Tech Park to serve sustainable, plant-based food on our campus,” said a spokesperson for Stellantis Digital Hub.

“When companies take even small steps toward sustainability, the ripple effect can be enormous. We are excited to partner with Stellantis Digital Hub to make sustainable eating part of everyday life for their employees. Together, we are showing how corporate leadership can extend beyond business to protecting our planet and building healthier communities,” said Bhavya Vatrapu, Senior Campaign Manager, Green Tuesday Initiative.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the initiative also focuses on employee health and well-being. Plant-powered meals have been linked to significant health benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk of type-2 diabetes, and improved cholesterol levels. This initiative aims to foster healthier lifestyles and create an environment where employees feel supported in making better food choices, both in and out of the workplace.

By introducing more plant-based options through the Green Tuesday Initiative, Stellantis Digital Hub is supporting practical steps toward improving employee health and reducing environmental impact. The initiative reflects a broader shift toward sustainability-focused workplace practices that benefit both people and the planet.

If you’re a corporate leader or institution looking to reduce your environmental footprint and support employee well-being, we’d love to partner with you. Contact us to learn how the Green Tuesday Initiative can help you take practical, impactful steps toward sustainability.

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Companies across the globe are making employee wellbeing and environmental responsibility are part of everyday workplace culture. This change reflects a smart shift in a growing wave of CSR-driven initiatives that recognize the role food plays in an organization’s environmental footprint. By shifting just one day a week to plant-powered menus, BSR Tech Park will significantly reduce its carbon emissions and water usage setting a new benchmark for India’s booming IT sector.

“Joining the Green Tuesday Initiative aligns with our strong focus on sustainability,” said Prem Reddy, Operations Lead at Vamsiram Group Tech Park. “We’re excited to implement this at BSR Tech Park as a pilot and eventually roll it out at Sohini and Jyoti Tech Parks.”

Why Sustainable Food Matters in CSR

For many working professionals, food is one of the few decisions they make at work that directly affects their long-term health. While tech parks often focus their sustainability efforts on energy and infrastructure, food is also emerging as a crucial area for climate action. The production of high-carbon-footprint, animal-based foods contributes disproportionately to global greenhouse gas emissions and water scarcity.

By incorporating sustainable food choices into workplace operations, BSR Tech Park is reducing its overall environmental footprint, and doing so in a way that’s practical and measurable.

“Vamsiram BSR Tech Park is taking a game-changing step by embracing the Green Tuesday Initiative,” said Bhavya Vatrapu, Senior Campaign Manager, Green Tuesday Initiative. “Simple swaps can dramatically reduce carbon emissions and water use.”

Studies have shown that switching to plant-based foods can reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 73% and water usage by up to 70%.

Healthier Teams, Smarter Workplaces

Beyond individual health, Green Tuesday contributes to a workplace culture that values care, care for one’s body, one’s colleagues, and the planet. For employers, this shift offers more than good intentions. When teams eat well, they feel better, think more clearly, and show up more consistently.

Additionally, plant-powered meals have been linked to significant health benefits, including lower blood pressure ², reduced risk of type-2 diabetes ³, and improved cholesterol levels ⁴. 

This approach of incorporating health together with sustainability into the corporate ethos  is especially relevant in modern corporate environments where wellbeing is becoming a key part of retention, engagement, and productivity. Offering sustainable meals once a week is a way to start, not by dictating personal choices, but by giving people the opportunity to experience something better, together.

A Measurable Step Toward Sustainability

Alongside health benefits, the environmental impact of plant-based eating is well-documented. Producing food from plant sources uses fewer resources and generates far fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to meals made from animal products. With thousands of meals being served each week, the shift at BSR Tech Park will meaningfully reduce the tech park’s food-related carbon and water footprint.

By encouraging employees to opt for plant-forward meals on Tuesdays, the park is expected to reduce approximately 15,70,685 kilograms of carbon emissions annually. That’s approximately 1,187 return flights from Thiruvananthapuram to Punjab. (Calculated using average domestic flight emissions from Our World in Data.) 

As the Green Tuesday Initiative expands across India and Vietnam, its growing presence in workplaces reflects a broader shift in how companies approach food, wellbeing, and climate impact. Vamsiram BSR Tech Park joins this movement not as a bold outlier, but as a forward-looking organization that recognizes the value of small, structured steps that benefit both people and the planet.

Want to bring Green Tuesday to your company or institution? Get in touch with us! 

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India, owing to its strong cultural and religious traditions, is popularly vegetarian. One third of its population identifies as non-meat consumers and more than 47% would opt for plant-based food when given the choice. With growing awareness of veganism, plant-based alternatives have swiftly made their way into the Indian market, leading one to ask: what stance does the youth take on this dietary shift? 

Recently, eight universities and colleges in Gujarat have joined Vegan Outreach’s Green Tuesday Initiative, committing to fight climate change through diet change. By introducing dairy-free days on their campuses, these institutions and their combined 6,000 students are taking significant steps towards reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainable, animal-free eating habits. This move reflects a growing trend among educational institutions in India to support plant-based diets for the betterment of health, the environment, and animal welfare.

As more students adopted plant-based diets, educational institutions began supporting this shift. Inspired by the positive outcomes of the Food Planet Health webinars organized by our outreach team in Gujarat, Vegan Outreach launched a dedicated awareness campaign to introduce dairy-free days on campuses. Vegan Outreach contacted over 100 colleges in the state and visited interested institutions to encourage them to serve dairy-free food and beverages in their cafeterias.

Implications of the Dairy Industry and Student Intervention

The dairy industry is marked by significant cruelty towards bovines. Cows and buffaloes are subject to continuous cycles of impregnation, milking, and eventual slaughter once their productivity declines. The industry is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gases, including methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide, making it an unsustainable farming model that also leads to water depletion, deforestation, and the loss of biodiversity. 

“It’s inspiring to see these universities and colleges taking a proactive stance towards sustainability and animal welfare. Their involvement in the Green Tuesday Initiative reflects a generation that cares deeply about the impact of their choices on the planet and all its inhabitants.” – Richa Mehta, Director of Programs, India, Vegan Outreach

Milk, curd, butter, ghee, cheese, cream—dairy in its various forms is vastly consumed in India, especially in the predominantly vegetarian state of Gujarat, for its richness in calcium and proteins. However, despite our dairy-rich diet culture, three out of four Indians are lactose intolerant, and increased dairy consumption has been linked to various health risks whereas these same benefits can also be found on a plant-based diet. 

“As an educational institution, we play a fundamental role in addressing the environmental challenges that come with animal farming. We hope to create a positive change among the future minds of India by implementing and driving green initiatives within our institutions,” said Dr. Rupal H. Patel, Principal of Sardar Vallabhbhai Arts and Commerce College.

Gujarat Colleges Fighting Climate Change with Diet Change

The following colleges have joined hands with Vegan Outreach to implement Green Tuesday Initiative – a plant-based food sustainability campaign at their campuses.

• Gujarat Law Society (GLS University) in Ahmedabad has committed to reducing dairy consumption once every week.
• The Institute of Advanced Research (IAR) in Gandhinagar has pledged to implement dairy-free meals in their hostels.
• S. V. Vanijya Mahavidyalaya, Sardar Vallabhbhai Commerce College, Dr. U. C. Patel Arts and Commerce College, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Arts College – four institutions from the Sardar Group of Colleges in Ahmedabad, Gujarat – have joined Green Tuesday Initiative in addressing their students on the importance of plant-based food in climate change policies.
•  Bhikhabhai Jivabhai Vanijya Mahavidyalaya (BJVM) and S. G. M. English Medium College of Commerce and Management (SEMCOM), in Anand, are going dairy-free on select days and plan to organize awareness sessions for their students.

Through this program, Vegan Outreach plans to organize seminars and training sessions in these colleges, highlighting the environmental effects and health benefits of dairy-free alternatives. This initiative will benefit more than 6,000 students. 

One student, Sneha Mittal, said, “I don’t want to contribute to this harsh reality of the animal farming industry anymore,” echoing the sentiments of hundreds who attended Vegan Outreach’s Food Planet Health webinars. 

Students are also inviting the organization to conduct webinars at their colleges. To invite Vegan Outreach to your institution, reach out to them here. 

Students Embracing Veganism

Proper education and awareness towards the negatives of the dairy industry can create a major shift in perspective. We, at Vegan Outreach, are working to end cruelty toward these sentient beings by raising awareness among the youth of India. We have developed an extensive, resource-aided awareness program for students. The program aims to connect with thousands of students through our “Food Planet Health” awareness sessions and discuss the impact of our food choices on animal rights, our health, and the planet. 

Gaining momentum with 2,000+ colleges across India, Vegan Outreach has organized 500+ webinars and has more than 140,000 students to try out for 10 Weeks to Vegan challenge for animals. 

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By incorporating plant-based cooking, the institute will significantly decrease its utilization of ingredients with high carbon footprints such as meat and dairy. This collaboration will also benefit over 900 students at the Institute by equipping them with knowledge of plant-based culinary techniques. This will include the use of a wide variety of vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, and plant-based proteins to create flavorful and nutritious dishes. Students will learn how to balance flavors, achieve desired textures, and present visually appealing meals using plant-based ingredients. Additionally, they will gain expertise in substituting traditional animal-based ingredients with innovative plant-based alternatives, enhancing their versatility and adaptability as future chefs.

Dr. D. Antony Ashok Kumar, Director of SRM IHM, expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “The Green Tuesday Initiative is an essential milestone in upgrading our curriculum and training resources. We aim to equip our students with advanced culinary techniques, and the ability to innovate and adapt in the dynamic food industry. By prioritizing plant-based cooking skills, we address the growing demand for sustainable and health-conscious dining, stay ahead of industry trends, and prepare future chefs to cater to diverse dietary preferences. This not only boosts their credibility but also fosters environmental responsibility among the students.”

Incorporating plant-based diets is crucial for environmental sustainability and health. The shift reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves water, and lessens the strain on land resources. By adopting plant-based cooking practices, SRM IHM is actively contributing to a healthier planet and setting a powerful example for the hospitality industry. Bhavya Vatrapu, the Senior Campaign Manager who leads the Green Tuesday Initiative in India and Vietnam, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “This initiative not only benefits the environment but also prepares students to meet the rising demand for plant-based options in the culinary world. It equips them with essential skills to innovate and adapt in a rapidly evolving industry. By embracing these sustainable practices, students are gaining valuable skills that will make them leaders in the culinary industry, capable of driving positive change and innovation.”

Sowndarya Ganesan, Campaign Specialist, added, “We are excited to see SRM IHM lead the way in sustainable culinary education. This collaboration demonstrates the potential for significant positive impacts within the hospitality industry. For this, we provide comprehensive support and resources to institutions, including developing course modules, training workshops for faculty, access to a wide range of plant-based recipes, and ongoing consulting to ensure successful implementation. We are reaching out to more hotel management institutions and offering our support to implement the Green Tuesday Initiative and help add plant-based cooking to the curriculum. Interested institutions can reach out to us to explore this opportunity.”

In addition to the curriculum changes, SRM IHM will also introduce plant-based options in its cafeteria, further promoting the benefits of a plant-based diet among students and staff.

The partnership with the Green Tuesday Initiative is set to position SRM IHM at the forefront of sustainable culinary education, fostering a new generation of chefs who are proficient in both traditional and contemporary cooking techniques.

BITS Pilani (Goa), Lovely Professional University, REVA University, and Azim Premji University have previously adopted the Green Tuesday Initiative, as well. A smooth and successful implementation was ensured for these institutions through access to nutritious plant-based recipes, kitchen staff training, and vendor management.

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