This Earth Day, we are putting our chefs’ creativity to the test with a friendly Blended Burger Challenge. We are motivated by our pursuit of a Plant-Forward Future to showcase the environmental benefits of incremental reductions of beef, even without removing it entirely from the plate.
While Bon Appétit Management Company is committed to building a sustainable food system year-round, we celebrate Earth Day as an important opportunity to highlight the connection between what we eat and the health of our planet. This year, we are turning our attention to a familiar favorite: burgers. Through this challenge, we invite both our chefs and guests to consider how small changes can meaningfully reduce environmental impact without sacrificing flavor.
Blended burgers combine ground beef with exciting plant-based ingredients such as mushrooms, legumes, grains, or other vegetables. By reducing the amount of beef in each patty by at least half, we can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining delicious taste and texture. Join us in participating in this Earth Day extravaganza, as our chefs will be creating unique blended burger recipes that you’ll be able to try in your own café on Tuesday, April 22nd.
It’s no secret that the meat industry, particularly conventional beef production, has substantial environmental impacts. Livestock production accounts for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, including nearly 32% of global methane emissions. Within the meat industry, beef is by far the largest contributor, because cattle are ruminant animals that produce large quantities of methane. Beyond emissions, beef production contributes to significant deforestation, water pollution, and high levels of water use. While interest in plant-forward alternatives continues to grow, overall meat production and consumption remain steady. In fact, global meat consumption is projected to double between 2000 and 2050.
Given these realities, we believe Earth Day is a wonderful time to explore practical and delicious ways to reduce beef consumption in addition to increasing plant-based options. Our Blended Burger Challenge demonstrates that even small shifts can make a meaningful difference for the planet. Explore the beauty of blended in your own kitchen with these inventive recipes, along with some tips to creating your own creative concoctions!