Student Services Giessen's Mensa Otto-Behaaghel Street Wins PETA Award for Vegan-Friendly Catering
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The Mensa Otto-Behaaghel Street, one of the cafeterias under the Student Services Giessen, has been awarded by PETA for its exceptional commitment to vegan and vegetarian options. This prestigious recognition comes as part of the ninth annual competition for vegan-friendly student services in Germany.
The Mensa Otto-Behaaghel Street stood out from a total of 29 participating student services across the country. The evaluation process considered several factors, including the daily availability of vegan dishes, staff training, transparent labeling, and thematic action weeks.
Guido Wolf, head of university catering at the Student Services Giessen, expressed his delight at the PETA award, stating, "We are pleased with this recognition as it acknowledges our commitment to providing vegan and vegetarian options." He further emphasized their close exchange with students and taking their wishes seriously, which he believes has contributed to their success.
The Mensa Otto-Behaaghel Street is known for its in-house production of plant-based alternative products and its consistently vegan menu, with only a few side dishes being vegetarian. The trained kitchen team continually develops the offer, and the cafeteria hosts various action days and cooking competitions with student participation.
The Mensa also features a comprehensive salad bar with numerous vegan components, reflecting its dedication to providing a variety of options. This shift towards vegan and vegetarian options was initiated by student representatives, who repeatedly requested such changes in the Student Services Giessen's facilities.
In addition to the Mensa Otto-Behaaghel Street, the CampusTor and Café am Kunstweg have also received awards from PETA for the first time. PETA has adapted its evaluation system for the ranking: instead of stars, green leaves are now awarded, and half leaves are also possible. The Mensa Otto-Behaaghel Street has increased its rating by 1.5 points compared to the previous year.
The Bistro Templergraben of the Studierendenwerk Aachen was recognised as the most environmentally friendly student cafeteria in Germany in 2025, earning 4 stars for outstanding sustainability and animal welfare efforts.
With this recognition, the Student Services Giessen is one of the leaders in vegan nutrition in Germany in 2025. The competition for vegan-friendly student services continues to grow, highlighting the increasing importance of sustainable and animal-friendly food options in educational institutions.
