Ethical Catering

We believe the University of Winchester is a national leader in the area of Sustainable Catering. Committed to sustainability, we launched our LIFE brand which provides the foundation for our all our operations:

Local

We promote the use of local suppliers, ensuring that our outlets always stock a number of local products. We use farm assured meat as a minimum standard in our recipes and where possible, use locally reared animals across our range of menus.

Use our supplier map to view the local suppliers and producers we work with. 

Independent

We are an independent University caterer, so we have the ability to use suppliers that best serve the needs of our customers.

Fair

Being fair and just is at the core of our philosophy, from offering Fairtrade products to dealing with customer comments or ensuring that our dishes are honestly priced and remain good value for money.

Ethical

We strongly believe in high ethical standards. We encourage sustainable life choices and embrace good practices in our operation such as reducing food miles, promoting recycling and efficient waste management.

As outlined in the University’s Ethical Food Policy, tender specification documents for university food suppliers include the requirement for service and supply standards to be met and delivered against targets outlined within the policy.

Sustainable Food Initiatives

Allotments

The University’s allotments at Holm Lodge provide space for staff and students to grow their own food. Staff and students interested in joining the waiting list for an allotment plot can contact the Student Union General Manager. Additionally, any forgeable food, grown across campus, where possible will be used in our dishes.

Campus Community Fridge

We have three Campus Community Fridges. The Community Fridges are based in the Learning Café (Level 4-King Alfred Centre) KKB Cafe (Kenneth Kettle Building) and the West Downs Food Hall (Level 1). These enable the University community to share surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.

Water Fountains

We offer free drinking water across campus and at all catering outlets. Use the Water Fountain Map

The University is also a supporter of the Refill campaign. All Food on Campus outlets are listed on the Refill App and are available to university staff and students and external visitors.

Kale Yeah!

Kale Yeah! is a loyalty scheme to encourage students and staff to try more veggie and vegan food.
Students and staff are rewarded with a stamp-based loyalty scheme with a free meal for every 6 veggie or vegan meals purchased. The free meal can be veggie, vegan, meat or fish. The offer is earned and redeemed through the university’s WINPay! loyalty scheme and is available in all University catering outlets.

We are committed to encouraging healthy and sustainable food production and consumption. A diet that contains less meat will help tackle climate change and be better for the wider environment, our health and animal welfare.

Ethical Catering Policy

For more information, see our policies and procedures

It's through these principles we have won a variety of awards for our work:Policies and Regulations