Council rethink over veggie couple's foster bid

Horsham Today

Good news in the UK. A vegetarian couple that had been categorically denied the opportunity to offer much-needed foster care will now have their application reconsidered, after a rejection on the basis of their strict vegetarian diet prompted a flood of media attention. According to a West Sussex County Council spokesperson:

"The fostering service has . . . added to its guidelines by stating that if a person has a particular diet based on cultural or religious views then they would not be expected to prepare or cook food that may cause conflict with this."

Now if we can only get this sort of guidance with prison diets and the like... Alas, I stray off-topic.

These seem like very bright, thoughtful, and caring people, if their response to criticism of their dietary choic is any indication:

Mrs Saunders said: "Some people have accused us of trying to push our values on to children but one comment I would say about that is the very nature of parenting is that you influence your children.

"If you are very religious then you may influence them to be Catholic or Jewish.

"We are not trying to force anybody into being vegetarian.

"We just want to offer someone a home - there is a lot more to us than the fact we do not eat meat."

How refreshing to see that in print (or online, as the case may be). Would that vegetarians got more of this kind of publicity. Good for them. I hope their application is approved.

Categories: fostering | foster care | vegetarianism | vegetarian kids