No Beef with the Law: ProVeg Serves Plant-Based Burgers to Cape Town Police and Firemen for World Burger Day

Ask South Africans to name their favourite fast food and many of them will probably say it’s the hamburger! World Burger Day is celebrated on May 28 annually. Burgers are one of the most popular foods in our country and in the world, being so ubiquitous and affordable. 

To celebrate World Burger Day ProVeg was invited by alderman JP Smith from the Democratic Alliance to serve up free plant-based burger options to the dedicated firemen and police officers of the City of Cape Town at the Roeland Street Fire Station on the eve of the national election. 

Assistant Fire Chief Arlene Wehr and Divisional Commander Simon Abrahams joined ProVeg South Africa director Donovan Will and staff to serve 80 Beyond Burgers during lunch time to the deserving law enforcement and fire safety officers of the Mother City. 

Alderman Smith, who has himself followed a plant-based lifestyle for approximately eight years, spoke in recognition of the fire and law enforcement officers of the city, their work dedication and rigorous efforts in keeping us safe – additionally noting that Cape Town has the best performing fire service in the country. 

The food service was effectively a blind-tasting as officers were not told that they would be eating a plant-based burger, which was reviewed with collective relish and approval. Only after the officers formally wrote down their feedback on the meal was it disclosed that the burger was not made of beef. The final scoring average was a touch above 9 out of 10 when tallied, which was already evidenced by the enthusiasm shown by officers in queueing up for a second helping.  

Donovan Will thanked the fire and law officers for doing such a great job and briefly explained the benefits of reducing animal product intake. A plant-based diet emphasises improved health and environmental sustainability. Plant-based meat alternatives contain no cholesterol, no hormones, no antibiotics and a low in saturated fat compared to meat – all at a fraction of the manufacturing average in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and water use. 

ProVeg promotes the health and environmental benefits of following a plant-based lifestyle, calling bull on opinions that dropping animal products need to come with any sacrifice in taste. With more delicious options available to South Africans such as the Urban Vegan Prime Burger, the Fry Family Food Co. Burger range and Herbi Vohr Burger Patties, it’s easier than ever to sample qualitative meat alternatives.  

For anyone seeking to savour some plant-based flavour for Burger Day and beyond, it’s an excellent opportunity to head out to support local restaurants and fast-food joints that cater for meat alternatives. If you’re not sure where the top options are, download the 2023 Plant-Based Friendly Ranking. 

ENDS

Media Contact

ProVeg South Africa – Wikus Engelbrecht – Communications Manager: [email protected]; +27 64 172 0120

Photo Credit: Leozette Roode

Instagram: @leozetteroode

About ProVeg South Africa:

ProVeg South Africa is the local branch of ProVeg International. ProVeg is an international food awareness organisation working to transform the global food system by replacing conventional animal-based products with plant-based and cultured alternatives.

ProVeg works with international decision-making bodies, governments, food producers, investors, the media, and the general public to help the world transition to a society and economy that are less dependent on animal agriculture and more sustainable for humans, animals, and the planet.