Sustainable Food

Cardfif Met students sit around a small dining table eating a bowl of soup each

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Cardiff Met considers sustainability across all aspects of its catering services, from ethical sourcing to waste production.

A selection of salads on display in bowls, with accompanying information signs

Responsible Sourcing

The catering team prioritises fair, sustainable and responsible sourcing, purchasing from local suppliers where possible. Currently, 65% of our suppliers are based within a 40-mile range of the University.

Two young adults holding coffees smile for a photograph

Rainforest Alliance Coffee

Coffee sold at the Atrium, The Bench, and The Gallery catering outlets is sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, meaning that is is produced in line with rigorous sustainability standards and the workers and their farms are supported and protected.

Planted-Based Alternatives

Low carbon, plant-based alternatives are available in all catering outlets, with hot food facilities providing plant-based meals daily alongside a variety of vegan deli items, snacks, and drinks.

Sustainable Restaurant Association

Since 2017, Cardiff Met has been awarded three star Food Made Good ratings by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). The assessment is comprised of three pillars of sustainability: sourcing, society and environment, for which Cardiff Met most recently achieved a combined score of 88%.

Read the 2024 SRA Food Made Good Report below.

SRA Report 2024

Hospitality Services Awards Publications Environmental Management System

A spread of fresh food on display in front of a drinks bar

Cardiff Met's Sustainable Food Policies

View our Sustainable Food Policy and Sustainable Seafood Policy.

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To reduce the use of single-waste items on campus, Cardiff Met offers the following:

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Reusable Chilly bottles and mugs for sale on campus, along with water refill points across our sites

A reusable silver metallic bottle held up

Vegware (biodegradable) salad containers

A plastic food container containing a colourful bean salad

Reuseable food containers for sale

Water refill points, placed throughout all sites

Water filling station on Cardiff Met campus

Fairtrade Catering & Hospitality

Cardiff Met has been supporting and selling Fairtrade products since 2003, and have been a certified Fairtrade campus since 2007, with our Fairtrade sales growing year on year. Cardiff Met prioritises Fairtrade sourcing across catering outlets and hospitality services. Fairtrade tea and coffee are served as standard in university hospitality, including conferences and events hosted on campus. Additionally, outlets maintain stock and Fairtrade products across key categories, including tea, coffee, juice, sugar, chocolate, fruit, and more.

At Cardiff Met, we proudly champion Welsh produce throughout catering outlets. By sourcing locally, and supporting local Welsh farmers, bakers, roasters, and family-run businesses ensuring food and drink are fresher, more sustainable, and rooted in Welsh identity.

Coffee: Bridge Coffee

Our coffee is supplied by Bridge Coffee, a Welsh roastery committed to ethical sourcing and exceptional quality. Their beans are triple certified, including Fairtrade.

Cakes: Clams Cakes

Clams Cakes, based in Crickhowell, supply us with freshly baked cakes made using traditional Welsh methods.

Meat: Howell's Butchers

All our meat is supplied by Christian Howell, a respect Welsh butcher in south Wales.

Milk & Potatoes: Blas y Tir

Blas y Tir milk comes from Welsh dairy farms committed to high welfare and sustainable practices.

Free-Range Eggs: Ellis Eggs

Our eggs come from Ellis Farm, where hens roam freely and are cared for to the highest standards.

Bread: Braces Bakery

Braces bread is baked daily in Wales using regional flour and time-honoured techniques.

Welsh Cakes - Tan y Castell

Tan Y Castell produces iconic Welsh baked goods such as Welsh cakes and Bara Brith using traditional recipes.