Building a more sustainable food system starts with the choices we make on our own campuses.
At ARU, we are working to reduce the environmental impact of catering while making sustainable, healthy and responsible food choices more accessible to our community.
Our approach brings together responsible sourcing, lower meat consumption, reduced food and packaging waste and sustainable procurement, with progress measured through our published sustainability performance framework. By August 2024, our approach had achieved Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification from the Soil Association, providing independent recognition of progress towards healthier and more sustainable food provision.
On-campus catering supporting sustainable and responsible food systems
Our on-campus catering is committed to providing nutritious, affordable and sustainable food, supported by the University’s Responsible Procurement Policy, which integrates environmental, social and ethical considerations into all purchasing decisions. We hold a Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification from the Soil Association, recognising our commitment to healthy and sustainable food. We provide a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options across our campuses, and our menus actively support reduced meat and dairy consumption to lower environmental impact.
Sustainable food policy
Our Sustainable Food Policy (PDF) was created in 2022 and revised in 2025. This details how we embed our environmental, social and ethical commitments within our campus catering services. The policy commits the University to reducing meat consumption on campus by 50% by 2026, encouraging lower dairy consumption and helping staff and students make more sustainable food choices. It also promotes responsible sourcing by requiring all meat to be UK Farm Assured, all eggs to be free range, and ensuring that seafood is not sourced from fisheries listed on the MSC Fish to Avoid List. Seasonal produce and locally sourced products are prioritised wherever possible, while suppliers are expected to meet sustainability standards through ARU's Responsible Procurement Policy. The policy also addresses waste and pollution. ARU has committed to a reduce, reuse and recycle approach throughout its catering operations, recycles cardboard packaging from deliveries, encourages the use of reusable crockery and containers, and banned the sale of single-use plastics. Suppliers are encouraged to minimise packaging at source and deliver products with little or no unnecessary packaging.
Refurbished catering outlets
Our catering outlets were refurbished in 2023 to improve energy efficiency, encourage on-site dining and reduce the use of disposable packaging. We source much of our food from local suppliers, and have introduced carbon labelling on menus to help consumers understand the environmental footprint of different options. Our supply chain also prioritises ethical sourcing, with MSC-certified fish, Rainforest Alliance coffee and our status as a recognised Fairtrade University.
Food Made Good Accreditation
In 2026, our approach to sustainable food was recognised nationally through the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good accreditation, one of the leading global standards for sustainable catering. This accreditation reflects our commitment to responsible sourcing, reducing environmental impact, and providing food that supports both individual wellbeing and sustainable food systems.
Supporting students with free food during the cost of living crisis
As part of our response to the cost of living crisis, students are able to access free food on campus, including fruit, porridge and soup, alongside subsidised meals and low-cost options, helping to ensure that all students can access nutritious food regardless of financial circumstances.
Last updated: October 2026
To request additions, corrections or changes to the information in these pages, please contact: Dr Zareen Bharucha: [email protected]. Please use the subject line ‘ARU SDG’.