International Men's Day Office Catering London: 19 November

International Men's Day falls on 19 November each year. This post covers the origin and purpose of the day, the men's health themes it highlights, and how London workplaces can mark it in a way that goes beyond a calendar entry.

What International Men's Day is and where it came from

International Men's Day was founded in 1999 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago, with the aim of celebrating men's positive contributions to society and drawing attention to men's health, wellbeing, and the challenges many men face. The date — 19 November — was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Dr Teelucksingh's father. The day has since been adopted in dozens of countries and is recognised by the UN as an occasion focused on gender equality, positive male role models, and men's wellbeing.

Unlike International Women's Day, which carries deep institutional history, IMD is a newer observance and is marked less uniformly in corporate settings. Some organisations use it specifically for men's health campaigns; others mark it as a broader wellbeing moment. The most consistent focus across different contexts is health — particularly mental health, prostate cancer awareness, and the general reluctance many men have to seek medical support.

Men's health and food: the evidence base

Men in the UK have statistically lower life expectancy than women and higher rates of several preventable chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Dietary factors contribute to this gap. Research consistently shows that men are less likely than women to eat adequate fruit and vegetables, more likely to consume excess processed meat and saturated fat, and less likely to seek dietary advice. The average British man's diet falls short of government fibre recommendations and tends to lack variety in plant-based foods.

None of this is deterministic — diet is one factor among many — but the workplace is one of the few environments where food choices are partly shaped by institutional decisions rather than individual habits alone. What an employer serves at lunch, and how it is presented, influences what people actually eat for that meal. A team lunch that is high in vegetable variety, lean protein, and whole-food ingredients is a tangible dietary intervention, however modest, rather than a symbolic one.

Dietary considerations for a diverse team on IMD

International Men's Day in a London office falls on a working day in November. The team observing it will include colleagues with a full range of dietary requirements — halal, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and those with specific allergen needs. A men's health lunch that is genuinely accessible to the whole team requires the same inclusivity foundations as any other corporate catering: certified halal provision for Muslim colleagues, allergen labelling on every item, and sufficient variety that no one is left with a token option.

Framing a team lunch around wholesome, recognisably good food — rather than a lecture about nutrition — is more likely to land well. The message is carried by the food quality itself.

Planning an International Men's Day event in the office

19 November sits in the middle of Q4, a busy period for City offices. It falls after Bonfire Night and before the December event season begins in earnest, which makes it a relatively clear slot in the cultural calendar. The Movember campaign runs throughout November and provides a natural hook for men's health conversations in the workplace.

A team lunch on IMD works well alongside a short talk from an occupational health professional, a charity representative from a men's health organisation, or a mental health first aider. The food creates a social occasion around which the conversation can happen naturally. As with any catering for a group of more than 20, confirming numbers and dietary requirements at least a week in advance ensures the order is right. Vanda's Kitchen covers central London from Carter Lane EC4V, with a minimum order of £150 and free delivery over £600.

For International Men's Day catering across London — independently halal-certified, 100% nut-free and fully allergen-labelled — browse our catering shop or WhatsApp the kitchen.

Frequently asked questions

When was International Men's Day founded and why?

International Men's Day was founded in 1999 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago. The aim was to celebrate positive male role models, raise awareness of men's health issues, and promote gender equality. The date of 19 November was chosen to mark the birthday of Dr Teelucksingh's father. It has since been adopted in dozens of countries.

What health issues does International Men's Day typically focus on?

Men's physical and mental health are the central themes, with particular attention to cardiovascular disease, prostate and testicular cancer, and mental health. Men in many countries have statistically shorter life expectancy than women and are less likely to seek medical help or engage with health services — IMD provides a cultural prompt to address this.

Is International Men's Day connected to Movember?

They are separate initiatives but share the same month. Movember is a global fundraising and awareness campaign for men's health that runs throughout November, with a focus on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. IMD on 19 November sits within Movember and is often used by employers as the specific day for a health-focused team event.

How do we make an IMD team lunch feel meaningful rather than tokenistic?

Pairing the lunch with a substantive programme element — a short talk from a men's health charity, a mental health first aider, or an occupational health professional — gives the food a context. The food itself should be genuinely good and accessible to everyone in the room rather than a token gesture, which means covering all dietary requirements as standard.

What dietary requirements are most common in a London office that needs covering?

Halal requirements, gluten-free needs, vegetarian, and vegan are the most frequent in a diverse City workforce. Full allergen labelling is a legal requirement rather than a courtesy. An independently certified halal kitchen operating a nut-free environment covers the majority of religious and allergen-related requirements from a single order.