The petition asks that every internal meeting and catered event provide only plant-based meals.
It also calls for prioritising locally sourced and seasonal foods to support farmers and local businesses.
Sangeeta Krishnan, one of the campaigners involved, said: “We wanted to set an example.
“Even if the council doesn’t hold many internal events, taking the lead here can encourage other institutions to follow.”
The group needed 50 signatures to be allowed to present their petition to the council’s Environmental Transport Committee.
Through social media and local outreach, they collected 65 signatures.
This means the committee was able to hear them present their case at a meeting held by the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee last Thursday (October 9).
Krishnan said the committee had already sent in a formal response prior to the meeting, which she described as disappointing.
The response claimed that the council was already doing a lot and that further changes would have limited impact.
Campaigners are hoping that public support will encourage the council to take action.
Sangeeta said: “Similar campaigns have happened in Camden, Hackney, and Croydon.
“In Croydon, organisers needed 500 signatures to present to the council, so the rules differ for every borough.”
She added that attending the Croydon screening event inspired her to get involved in Sutton.
The petition also encourages the council to promote plant-based options in schools and leisure centres.
Sangeeta, who is a medical editor, said the campaign is about more than food choices.
She said: “It’s about climate action and community health.
“Plant-based diets help reduce carbon emissions and have clear public health benefits.
“Having councils and institutions implement plant-based options can help people take that step as well.”
The petitioners point out that Sutton Council declared a climate emergency in 2018-2019.
At the meeting, councillors were torn about the proposal for the council to go entirely plant based.
Cllr Nick Mattey said: “What concerns me is this imposition of a relatively small group of 70 people wanting to make the council put something in place whereby the best thing is to offer people the choice through an education programme to show people what the benefits are.
“I know the issues you said about The Sound Lounge, but people have complained that there is not a choice, and The Sound Lounge has not been a great financial success, and the people do blame the feel of having these impositions of having a plant-based diet on their menu.”
He added: “This is about a group of people.
“It could be the flat-earthers who come down next time, and they come with their particular view on life.
“When we look at elderly people, for instance, who, perhaps wrongly or rightly, have eaten meat as part of their diet for years and years and years, and to turn around and tell them they are going to have some turnip-based diet when they’ve been used to meat pie on a Friday.
“This is the problem.”
Sangeeta said the move is symbolic as much as it is practical.
She added: “The volume of council events is small, but the message is important.
“Other organisations can follow in Sutton’s footsteps.”
The campaigners said they also want the council to consider the wider impact of its catering choices.
She explained: “Serving plant-based meals and sourcing local foods supports farmers, reduces waste, and improves the health of the community.
“Why not set the standard here?
“Even small councils like Sutton can lead the way in sustainability and health.
“This is about more than meals. It’s about public health, climate goals, and leading by example.
“If we all make small, positive changes, the collective impact can be huge.”
Sutton Council is in the process of making a decision.
