Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines×ProVeg International
Better food.Better planet.
Veg Up! makes plant-based meals the easy, affordable, everyday choice on campus — starting with the 40% Good Food Shift at Philippine partner universities.
Veg Up! is a project of Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, supported by ProVeg International, that promotes a practical, measurable transition toward plant-based food options in university canteens.
The initiative aligns with environmental sustainability, nutrition, and institutional responsibility — designed to be scalable, affordable, and accessible for students.
70%
More food will be needed by 2050 — yet one-third of arable land is already degraded.
8.2 billion people today, growing to 9.1 billion by 2050
Animal agriculture is a leading driver of greenhouse gas emissions
Food insecurity, soil erosion, and resource exploitation demand urgent action
40%
The Good Food Shift replaces 2 of every 5 meat dishes with plant-based options.
Complements Pinggang Pinoy with the ProVeg plant-based food plate
Can we feed the world without destroying the planet?
The imbalance in food production and distribution poses serious challenges that demand urgent action.
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Food Insecurity
One-third of arable land has been threatened by erosion, seawater, and pollutants in the past 40 years — degrading the very soil that feeds us.
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Climate Impact
To have any chance of meeting climate goals, food systems and diets need to transform. Animal agriculture is one of the largest contributors to global emissions.
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Resource Strain
Conventional food production exploits enormous amounts of energy, water, and land. Plant-based alternatives require a fraction of these resources.
"To have any chance of meeting climate goals, the food system and diets need to transform."
Our Core Initiative
The 40% Good Food Shift
Replace 2 out of every 5 meat dishes with plant-based alternatives — expanding choice, not removing it.
40%Good Food Shift
Plant-based (2 of 5 dishes)
Existing options retained
Veg Up! implements a simple, measurable goal: replace 2 out of every 5 meat dishes served in school cafeterias with plant-based alternatives.
This isn't about removing choice — it's about expanding it. Students who want healthy, sustainable, affordable meals can find them on campus every single day.
Pinggang Pinoy
½ Glow — fruits & veggies
¼ Grow — protein-rich foods
¼ Go — energy-giving carbs
DOST-FNRI · Recommended for healthy Filipino adults 19–59 yrs old
+
ProVeg Food Plate
½ vegetables & fruits
¼ protein — tofu, tempeh, legumes
¼ carbs — rice, pasta, oats
Plant-based complement to Pinggang Pinoy · by ProVeg International
Practical Guide
Ways to Make Your Meals More Earth-Friendly
Small, everyday choices add up to meaningful change.
Eat the Rainbow 🌈
Different colors in fruits and vegetables provide different nutrients. Aim for variety every meal.
RedTomatoes, red pepper, strawberriesHeart health, antioxidants
Not at all. We are all about expanding options, not limiting choices. Our goal is simply to ensure that students who want to eat healthier, more sustainable, and affordable plant-based meals can easily find them on campus every single day.
No. By working closely with canteen cooks to substitute expensive meats with nutrient-dense, locally sourced plant proteins (tofu, mushrooms, beans, seasonal vegetables), Veg Up! meals are designed to cost the same as — or even less than — regular canteen options.
Absolutely. Every recipe introduced on the Veg Up! menu is vetted against nutrition guidelines to ensure a complete, balanced macronutrient profile — keeping students full and energized through lectures and org meetings.
You can apply to be a student volunteer, or simply take the Veg Up! pledge to choose a plant-based meal once or twice a week. Follow our official channels for volunteer sign-ups and updates.
Institutions interested in partnering with Veg Up! can reach out through Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines. The program provides a complete partnership framework, training, and canteen transition support at no additional cost to the school.
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines×ProVeg International
Be Part of the Good Food Shift
Whether you're a student, a canteen operator, a university administrator, or a sustainability advocate — there's a meaningful role for you in this movement.
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Students
Take the pledge. Choose plant-based once a week. Volunteer with your campus chapter.
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Universities
Join as a partner institution. We provide the framework, training, and full canteen transition support.
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Organizations
Collaborate on advocacy, events, and content. Help amplify the Good Food Shift in your network.
