The University of Kent Sustainable Food Plan sets out a roadmap to ensure that the food served on campus supports health, well-being, and environmental sustainability. 

The plan covers all food outlets and internal catering operated by the University of Kent. This includes internal catering for conferences and events.

The Sustainable Food Plan aims to support:

• The health and wellbeing of staff and students by providing access to healthy, tasty, and affordable food.
• Fairness and security for producers and suppliers through our procurement frameworks.
• Other regional and national HE institutions as well as schools and colleges, by sharing best practice on sustainable food through the Kent Food Partnership.  

Help us to reduce the number of disposable cups going to landfill

Here at Kent we are committed to finding ways to reduce paper cup use. That’s why we’re encouraging staff, students and visitors to ditch the disposable cups and use a reusable alternative instead.

Switching to a reusable coffee cup is a great way to cut your plastic footprint. Each time you choose to re-use, even just once a week, you will be helping in the fight against single-use waste.

We want our customers to benefit from using a reusable cup, that’s why every time you use a reusable cup in one of our participating outlets, you’ll receive 10% off your order. So, as well as saving the planet, you’ll be saving your bank account too!

Participating outlets include:

• Dolche Vita
• Sibson Café
• Gulbenkian Arts Centre Café
• Rutherford Dining Hall

In line with our commitment to sustainability, we've partnered with Cafédirect, a Fairtrade-certified coffee company that sources its beans from sustainable farms around the world. Together, we're committed to bringing you exceptional coffee while minimizing our environmental impact. 

Cafédirect's dedication to Fairtrade principles ensures that coffee farmers receive fair compensation for their labor, empowering them to invest in their communities and livelihoods. Additionally, Cafédirect's commitment to sustainable farming methods helps protect the environment and preserve biodiversity in coffee-growing regions.

Plastic bottles contribute significantly to environmental pollution. By reusing a water bottle, you reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or the ocean.

Where can I refill my water bottle?

• Mungo’s (Eliot College) – Water tap is behind the counter. Please ask a member of staff to fill your water bottle for you.

• K-Bar (Keynes College) - Water tap is behind the counter. Please ask a member of staff to fill your water bottle for you.

• Sibson Café (Sibson Building) – Water tap is behind the counter. Please ask a member of staff to fill your water bottle for you.

• Hut 8 (Turing College) - Designated water station in service hatch.

• Rutherford Dining Hall (Rutherford College) – Designated water station in open fridge in the dining area.

• Dolche Vita (Keynes College) – Designated water tap in dining area.

• Gulbenkian - Water tap is behind the counter. Please ask a member of staff to fill your water bottle for you.

If you would like to add a water station to this list, please email catering@kent.ac.uk

The School of Anthropology and Conservation’s student-led Sustainability Working Group have been working with the catering team to produce a plant-based loyalty card.

The loyalty scheme rewards customers with a FREE meal for every 9 vegan meals purchased in a campus restaurant, cafe, or bar.

Plant-based loyalty cards can be used in:

• Rutherford Dining Hall
• Sibson Café
• Dolche Vita
• Mungo’s
• Hut 8
• K Bar
• Gulbenkian Arts Centre Café

The loyalty scheme is not just for vegetarians and vegans, but for flexitarians who are looking to reduce their meat consumption. The scheme offers an easy way for customers to try the delicious meat-free meals on campus, whilst saving money.

Loyalty cards can be picked up in participating outlets, at the till.