Food / Sustainability
Bristol universities to improve food sustainability
The University of Bristol and the UWE Bristol are taking part in the Bristol Bites Back Better campaign, which is working to build a food system for the city’s future.
“The actions already taken by the universities in the past few years and those planned for 2021 show real determination to do better,” says Joy Carey, the coordinator of Bristol Bites Back Better.
is needed now More than ever
“As big organisations, they are demonstrating how positive change can be made and we are excited to engage the student population further in the coming weeks and months as they too will be a key part of creating a better, fairer, and more sustainable food system for our city.”
The University of Bristol is due to open a new food court in Senate house, which will be completely free of single-use plastic and have added an ‘Ethical and Sustainability Policy’ into their Sustainable Food Action Plan. This is supporting their Plastic Action Plan initiative, aiming to reduce plastic pollutants by summer 2021.
The university is also targeting a reduction in meat consumption at catered halls of residence, and removing all foods containing beef from the University’s on-site cafes. The university will also be measuring the impact of its single use food court, as well as the zero-waste section of its Hiatt Baker shop.
“The university has long supported sustainable food initiatives in the city and became a Going for Gold Champion in late 2019, recognising this work by staff and students”, said head of catering, Caroline Wynn.
Caroline adds: “Students in Bristol make up a significant proportion of the city, so the actions we take as a university and student body can make a real tangible difference.”
“We are very excited to see the project develop and looking forward to the results supporting our Food Action Plan in the future.”
The university has also estimated environmental and health costs associated with the food it serves and is using this information to facilitate healthier lifestyles for students and staff.
UWE Bristol is setting up a food waste campaign for students in residences, educating students on the impact of food waste and providing them with tools to make a difference.
The university’s 2020 mission to bring in Bristol-based food sources and encourage students to support local business will continue and grow in 2021. The university will publish a Sustainable Food Plan, which will be celebrating sustainable food across an entire week and will continue to have internal conversations about how food and the city interrelate.
“We look forward to being able to share the details of our Sustainable Food Plan a little later in the year!” said Kristian Fernandez-Mitchell, business improvement manager at UWE Bristol.
“We recognise that as a significant institution here in the city we have a responsibility to look at ways to ‘do better’ when it comes to food.”
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