Need feedback on this letter...
So there's an amazing tropical botanical garden in Miami that I visit often. It's such a peaceful place and it is so good for me to be able to "escape" from the city and walk around here. There is a cafe on the premises and they don't have anything vegan. This pissed me off because the whole place is based on a love of nature and the environment! So I decided to write them a letter. Can you give me feedback and maybe suggestions on other things they could add to the menu that would be kind of easy for them to make? (I couldn't find a menu online so I can't tell you the kinds of things they make now.) Thanks!! Here's the letter.
I have recently become a member of Fairchild Tropical Gardens and have been very pleased by my experience. It is apparent that your organization is committed to the preservation and conservation of our natural environment.
While I greatly admire your endeavors, I was quite surprised to notice that your café does not offer any vegan menu options. There are a couple of vegetarian selections, but nothing for those of us who don’t eat any animal products including dairy and eggs. My concern is that, as an organization that promotes awareness of nature and the environment, you seem to be unaware or unconcerned about the impact that eating animal products has on the earth. Here is one article that discusses how factory farming affects climate change, and a simple search will turn up many like it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7600005.stm
It is not difficult to ensure that vegans, as well as anyone who is concerned about animals, the planet, and his own health, will be able to find adequate choices at your café. A vegan would be looking for a meal that offered a combination of vegetables, grains, and protein. Some examples would be a wrap filled with hummus and vegetables, a salad with grilled tofu, or even a vegan veggie burger with French fries.
I hope that you will consider my suggestions and reflect on how you can incorporate them into the philosophy of Fairchild. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your time.
Sounds good to me! ;)b
I loveee when people actually contact people instead of sitting and complaining constantly, not even trying (though, i am one of those people on many occasions)
Hopefully you get a good reply back!
I have recently become a member of Fairchild Tropical Gardens and have been very pleased by my experience. It is apparent that your organization is committed to the preservation and conservation of our natural environment.
While I greatly admire your endeavors; however, I was quite surprised to notice am disappointed that your café does not offer any vegan menu options. There are a couple of vegetarian selections, but nothing for those of us who don’t eat any animal products, including dairy and eggs. My concern is that, as an organization that promotes awareness of nature and the environment, you seem to be unaware or unconcerned about the impact that eating animal products has on the earth. A vegan lifestyle promotes environmental stewardship and complements the goals of your organization. Here is one article that discusses how factory farming affects climate change, and a simple search will turn up many like it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7600005.stm
It is not difficult It is easy to ensure that vegans, as well as anyone who is concerned about animals, the planet, and his own personal health, will be able to find adequate choices at your café. A vegan would be looking for a meal that offered a combination of vegetables, grains, and protein. Some examples would be a wrap filled with hummus and vegetables, a salad with grilled tofu, or even a vegan veggie burger with French fries.
I hope that you will consider my suggestions and reflect on how you can them into the philosophy of Fairchild. I hope that you will consider my request to incorporate vegan options on Fairchild's cafe menu. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your time.
I have recently become a member of Fairchild Tropical Gardens and have been very pleased by my experience. It is apparent that your organization is committed to the preservation and conservation of our natural environment.
While I greatly admire your endeavors; however, I was quite surprised to notice am disappointed that your café does not offer any vegan menu options. There are a couple of vegetarian selections, but nothing for those of us who don’t eat any animal products, including dairy and eggs. My concern is that, as an organization that promotes awareness of nature and the environment, you seem to be unaware or unconcerned about the impact that eating animal products has on the earth. A vegan lifestyle promotes environmental stewardship and complements the goals of your organization. Here is one article that discusses how factory farming affects climate change, and a simple search will turn up many like it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7600005.stm
It is not difficult It is easy to ensure that vegans, as well as anyone who is concerned about animals, the planet, and his own personal health, will be able to find adequate choices at your café. A vegan would be looking for a meal that offered a combination of vegetables, grains, and protein. Some examples would be a wrap filled with hummus and vegetables, a salad with grilled tofu, or even a vegan veggie burger with French fries.
I hope that you will consider my suggestions and reflect on how you can them into the philosophy of Fairchild. I hope that you will consider my request to incorporate vegan options on Fairchild's cafe menu. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your time.
Damn! Thanks HH! That is MUCH better! (In my defense, I typed it while I was listening to the news...uh...) I made those changes, and thanks again!
I agree with HH. Less preaching is better. Avoid the use of negative words such as "no" and "not" as well as words that have a negative feeling, like "difficult" and "unconcerned."
Basically, you want to make them feel GOOD about offering vegan choices, not like they're going to have angry vegans coming in if they DO offer them. Personally, I'd shy away from including any links or videos because I think it would make them feel like they are being preached to.
Exude positive vibes, make yourself seem like the sort of person they would want to see in their cafe every day of the week. Someone they can get to know by name.
;)b
I think it is totally awesome that you are sending this letter! I love it! The only thing I can think to suggest is maybe adding specific products they could easily obtain--like boca vegan grillers, Alternative Baking Company cookies (**drool** Those are a must for any self respecting cafe! *lol*) Silk soy milk, Eves faux deli slices, etc., I think it's just good to remind places how many vegan specific foods are already pre-made as an indication of how wide spread the lifestyle is!!
You could also find menus of similar sized cafes that do have vegan food and maybe use that for reference?
Here are a few in case you like that idea:
Chicago Diner
http://www.veggiediner.com/
ABC
http://www.alternativebaking.com/
Sage's Cafe
http://www.sagescafe.com/menu.php
Chaco Canyon Cafe
http://chacocanyoncafe.com/index.php
I hope that helps a bit--again, I think it is just beyond awesome you are seeking ways to provide mroe options for the vegan community! Yeah!