It was a surprise to even Troy University Dining Services that a college in a pretty rural area of Alabama would be recognized for good works by PETA.

Troy University has been recognized by peta2 as one of the most vegetarian and vegan friendly colleges in the United States.

peta2, the youth and college-focused arm of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has held the Most Vegan-Friendly College Contest for seven years, but this is the first time Troy University has been recognized.

The only requirement in the contest is that a school’s menu items be friendly for vegetarian and vegan students on campus and offer more than just a traditional salad bar.

“The number of college students who identify themselves as vegetarian has increased by half since 2005 and the number of vegans has doubled, said Annie Leal, a street team coordinator for peta2. “Schools like Troy University are responding to this need by offering delicious vegan options.”

At Troy University’s Trojan Dining Hall, there are options such as Mediterranean veggie burgers and fries, stir-fried tofu and vegetables, pasta salads, vegan soup, veggie and vegan pizza, pasta and marinara, hummus and a salad bar.

“And Monday we are debuting vegan lattes with soy milk,” said Sheetal Nangia, marketing manager for Troy University Dining Services. “Obesity is a huge issue in the United States and a vegan lifestyle is healthy. Sometimes your make your lifestyle choices according to what is available and we want to educate students about healthy living, not just accommodate what they are used to and already like.”

Nangia said the recognition of Troy University Dining Services for incorporation of healthy foods as options in everyday eating for students is nice, but she said she would also really like to see the university win the competition.

“We are really trying to get students to vote. We’ve got the link on our webpage and on our Facebook,” Nangia said.

Voting closes for the first round of competition on Oct. 16 and final winners will be announced on Nov. 15. To make it through the first round, Troy University will need to garner more votes than the University of Georgia, University of Florida and University of South Florida.

Visit troydining.com and click on “Click Here to Vote Now” to cast your vote for Troy University in the peta2 contest.